THE LIFE AiND LABORS 



OF-- 






REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 









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s) THE ® 

LIFE AND LABORS 



OF- 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON 

Founder of the Free Baptist Church 
in Southern Illinois 

TOGETHER WITH 

PICTURES AND SKETCHES 



-OF- 



One Hundred Other Free Baptists, 
Dead and Living 



— BY- 
REV. GEO. A. GORDON, 
Campbell Hill, ----- Illinois. 

\90U 

(Copyrighted 1900 by Rev. Geo. a. Gordon.) 



THE LIBRARY OF 

CONGRESS, 
Two Copies RecEtvto 

MAR 15 1901 

Copyrigmt entry 



i). 



CLASSet ^Mct- N*. 

,5/ O 6 7 
COPY B. 







Yours truly, 

REV H. S GORDON. 



PREFACE. 



PREFACE. 



Fifty years ago Rev. H. S. Gor- 
don, familiarly known as "Uncle 
Henry," organized, near where 
Campbell Hill now stands, the 
Looney Springs Free Baptist 
Church, the first church of what 
is now known as the Central Illi- 
nois Yearly Meeting of Free Bap- 
tists. That this work was of God 
and has been blessed of Him is 
certainly evidenced by the results 
accomplished and the fruits borne. 

In fifty years this movement so 
small in its beginning has grown to 
considerable proportions till at 
present our yearly meeting is com- 
posed of five quarterly meetings, 
as follows : Looney Springs, Leba- 
non, Franklin Co., Wayne Co., and 
Makanda, with fifty-four ministers, 
fifty-six churches and four thou- 
sand members. 

The official organ of the Y. M. 
is the Illinois Free Baptist, edited 
and published by Rev. G. A. Gor- 
don at Campbell Hill, 111. 

Rev. H. S. Gordon died January 
loth, 1898, after watching the 
growth for forty-eight years of 
this vine that God through his in- 
strumentality had planted. 

While living his counsel and 
help was sought by his sons in the 
Gospel and ministry and never 
sought in vain. 



Since his departure from us we 
have asked many times how can we 
most fittingly honor him and com- 
memorate his life and deeds? 

The honor paid to kings and 
nobles, a marble shaft, would be 
insufficient, for that would appeal 
only to passers by. 

But desiring to do something 
that shall be more in keeping with 
the life of him whom we desire to 
honor, more far-reaching, uplift- 
ing, ennobling and God-honoring 
among men than shafts of brick or 
stone, we concluded to send forth 
this little volume containing the 
portrait, life and labors of "Uncle 
Henry" Gordon, written by his 
oldest son, who for 32 years stood 
side by side with him in the sacred 
desk. And also of a few at least of 
the many who have been helped 
either directly or incHrectly into a 
"life hid with Christ in God." 

Praying that this book may be a 
God's blessing to us and a fitting 
tribute to him we lovingly dedicate 
it to the memory of our beloved 
and sainted brother. Rev. Henry 
Smith Gordon. And if this prayer 
be answered this volume will be 
an honor to Christ for He said, 
"Inasmuch as ve did it unto one of 
the least of these my brethren ye 
did it unto me." 

Rev a. J. Rendleman. 



INTRODUCTION. 



INTRODUCTION. 



•<* 



Of making books there is no 
end (nor need there be,) and 
much study is a weariness of the 
flesh. This vohmie need not be- 
come wearisome since it eschews 
all controverted subjects, deals not 
in theological abstractions, phili- 
sophical deductions, nor ethical 
science, but is to give a brief 
history of the life and labors of 
Rev. H. S. Gordon, and a few of 
the men and "women who have 
labored in the Gospel with us.'' In- 
stead of weariness then it will no 
doubt be "to those of like precious 
faith'' a source of spiritual strength 
and helpfulness. 

It is difificult for those of one 
generation to grasp clearly the 
conditions that prevailed in a form- 
er, and the material changes are in 
some respects no more marked 
than the mental, moral, spiritual 
and social, especially is this true in 
a country where primitive condi- 
tions prevail. 

Some things, however, remain 
forever unchanged, as for instance, 
the old-fashioned hope of immor- 
tality, and the energy with which 
certain men push forward into the 
rank of world's Messiahs, willing. 
yea anxious to be smitten by the 
hand of ecclesiastical bigotry, 
crowned with the obloquy of the 
unthinking, who fail to sense the 



force of a principle, nailed to the 
cross of public censure, and laid 
in the tomb of official displeasure, 
from which invariably they rise in 
the triumph of after judgment, and 
the approval of a redeemed peo- 
ple. 

The above statement is made in 
general terms without special ap- 
plication to the subject of this me- 
morial book. I leave the reader 
to judge how nearly our quiet, un- 
assuming, scholarly leader came to 
placing himself in that illustrious 
rank. Your temple of fame is full 
of niches and you may place him 
where your own judgment directs. 

In the beautiful tribute of Oliver 

Goldsmith to his father, in "The 

Village Preacher," there are some 

passages that might have been 

written for Bro. Gordon. 

"A man he was to all the country 

dear, 

****** 

Unpracticed he to fawn or seek 

for power, 
By doctrines fashioned to the 

varying hour. 
But in his duty prompt at every 

call. 
He watched and wept, he prayed 

and felt for all. 

At church with meek and unaf- 
fected grace, 



INTRODUCTION. 



His look adorned the venerable 
place, 

Truth from his lips prevailed with 

double sway, 
And fools who came to scoff re- 
mained to pray." 

This book is created to fill no 
"long felt want."" nor is it born of 
sheer necessity, but unlike some of 
life's luxuries is in reach of all ; we 
send it to you in proud confidence 
that it will create its own place in 
your life and in the world. 

It will lie on your table in silence 
and not complain, or it will speak 
to vou oft if desired ; it is our trib- 



ute to our absent friend and father 
who "being absent yet speaketh." 
For one I shall welcome this 
book, and give one or more vol- 
umes a place in my library, and 
then in after years if "I shall live 
to be the last leaf on the tree/' it 
will come as a friend of former 
years and, 

''Sweet memory wafted by thy gen- 
tle gale, 
To view the fairy haunts of long 

lost hours^ 
Oft up the stream of time I turn 
Blest with far greener shades, far 
lovelier flowers." 

Rev. J. L. Meads. 




OPEN COMMUNION. 



OPEN COMMUNION. 



There has been a growing senti- 
ment in the Baptist Church in fa- 
vor of free or open communion for 
perhaps a hundred years, but that 
was not the difficuhy with which 
Benj. Randall had to contend. 

In the year 1780 he was called 
to order by his brethren for not 
preaching the doctrines of John 
Calvin, he had considered these 
doctrines but little as they had not 
been in dispute in the community. 
He was now called upon three or 
four times to answer for "his er- 
rors." And on one occasion the 
debate lasted two days, on the last 
day of the meeting, the leading 
ministers made public declaration 
of non-fellowship with Randall's 
principles, to which he replied that 
it made no difference to him so 
long as he knew that the Lord 
owned him. Thus without seek- 
ing it Randall was driven either to 
stand by himself or to accept doc- 
trines the odious sentiments of 
which he did not believe. With his 
characteristic firmness he stood 
alone. Thus we see Randall was 
disowned by the Baptist Church 
because he preached "free will" 
and "free grace," two very promi- 
nent doctrines in the larger Bap- 
tist Church today. The Lord's 
Supper was not a question of dis- 
putation at this time, and not for 



three years after the first organiza- 
tion by Randall of the Free Bap- 
tist Church, but when it did come 
up for settlement they decided to 
make Christian character the test 
for admission to the Lord's table. 

In 1850, Rev. H. S. Gordon, an 
earnest consecrated minister of the 
Baptist Church, preaching under 
the direction of the Association to 
which he belonged, as their mis- 
sionary, with a heart warm with 
love for souls, was preaching 

"free grace" and "free will," and 
was studying more earnestly the 
great question of how to lead souls 
to accept Christ, than the doctrinal 
dogmas of his church. And God 

was blessing his labors and as a 
result souls were being saved and 
churches organized, and among 
the number organized was Looney 
Springs (now Campbell Hill), to 
which he was called as pastor, and 
at their first communion service 
the church members asked that 
any of their neighbors who were 
accustomed to worship with them, 
might have the privilege of com- 
nnming with them. He was not 
connnitted to the idea himself, but 
knowing one of the cardinal 
doctrines of the Baptist Church 
to be, that each individual church 
has the entire control of its affairs 
without interference on the part 



OPEN COMMUNION. 



of anv external power, so he acted 
as their servant and gave the invi- 
tation as they required. And for 
this he was called to account by his 
lirethren, and charged with heresy. 
This very serious charge brought 
about a very earnest investigation 
upon his part for the grounds for 
such charge, and as a result, he de- 
cided that the action of himself and 
his church was entirely scriptural ; 
and thus he was driven to take a 
stand that caused him to be dis- 
owned by his brethren. So we 
see him confronting the same diffi- 
culties on the communion question 
that Benj. Randall did on the doc- 
trines of Calvinism. 

Today almost the entire Chris- 
tian world, including the denomin- 
ation from which Randall was ex- 
-cluded, teach the same doctrine on 



the atonement and its provisions 
that he taught. 

And Bro. Gordon lived to see a 
church in Southern Blinois num- 
bering four or five thousand, hold- 
ing the same doctrines which he 
held, and that, too, as a result of 
his work and teaching, and also to 
see a growing sentiment in favor 
of scriptural communion among 
the leading ministers of the Baptist 
Church. 

And it is only a question of a 
few more years of earnest evan- 
gelical preaching and Bible study 
in the light of true spiritual ad- 
vancement until the entire Baptist 
Church will teach and practice in 
the main what Bro. Gordon taught 
as they are now doing in regard to 
the teaching of Randall. 

Rev. T. O. McMinn. 




10 



LIFE AND LABORS OF 



a 



GORDON." 



The first Gordon of whom there 
is a distinct race is Richard of 
Gordon, who was Lord of the Bar- 
ony of Gordon in the Merse be- 
tween 1 150 and 1 160. AHcia IV 
of the Gordon family married her 
cousin, Adam Gordon. Their 
grandson. Sir Adam, was the an- 
cestor of all the Gordons of Scot- 
land, says Douglas. Robert ist 
gave to him a charter to the lands 
of Strathbogie (or Huntley). Sir 
Adam Gordon, in descent tenth of 
Gordon and Huntley, was killed at 



the battle of Homildon in 1402, 
leaving only a daughter, who mar- 
ried a Seton. Their eldest son, 
Alexander, assumed the name of 
Gordon, and in 1449 was created 
Earl of Huntley. The line of Hunt- 
levs and Gordon was warlike in- 
deed. 

The fighting force of the Clan 
estimated at 1,000 claymores in 
1 71 5. The Earls of Aberdeen, so 
created in 1682, are descended 
from Patrick Gordon of Methlic, 
cousin of the Earl of Huntlev. 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



11 




THE OLD FARM HOMESTEAD NEAR PERCY, ILL. 

Where he settled in 1887 and raised a family of 10 children, 9boys and 1 girl, with but 
one death in the family for 50 years. This building was erected in 1863, and still stands. 
Around it was a large farm of about 400 acres. 



12 



I,IFE AND LABORS OF 



THE REV. HENRY S. GORDON MEMORIAL BOOK. 



o 



Rev. Henn- Smith Gordon was 
born in Franklin Co., Pa., June 
19th, 1816, and vvas^he oldest child 
of Geo. and Nancy Gordon, who 
were both descendants of the old 
Scotch stock or family of Gordons, 
many of whom figured conspicu- 
ously among the Highlanders of 
Scotland, and were one of the lead- 
ing clans, some of whom were 
quite warlike and held enviable po- 
sitions of rank for manv centuries 
back in the history of the Scotch 
people. The family from which 
the subject of this sketch immedi- 
ately descended emigrated to 
this country from Scotland in 1697, 
and his great grandfather was 
born upon the Atlantic Ocean dur- 
ing the voyage to this country. 
This particular l)ranch of the Gor- 
don family is known on this side 
of the Atlantic as the Cumberland 
Valley Gordons, being very num- 
erous in Pennsylvania and Mary- 
land. 

When l)ut a child he came west 
with his parents, crossing the Mis- 
sissippi river at St. Louis before 
they had any ferry boats, but took 
the wheels off their wagon and 
took the horses and wagon across 
separately in a flat boat, making a 
dozen trips perhaps with a skiff 



and flat boat to get the outfit 
across. His grandfather's name was 
also George, and he had gone to 
Missouri about 1800, long before 
it was admitted as a state, and be- 
cause of some complicity in the 
rightful ownership of a number of 
negroes in which his wife held first 
claim, he was foully murdered one 
morning on his own door steps by 
some one in ambush across the 
road from the house. The accused 
was the first person ever hanged 
in Missouri, and in St. Louis, un- 
der law. and that was territorial 
law, in which the oldest son had the 
reprieving power, but his son, 
George, then a lad 14 years old. re- 
fused to commute the sentence, 
and the village of St. Louis wit- 
nessed the first legal hanging. 
George then went back to Penn- 
sylvania, grew to manhood, mar- 
ried aiid had three children, the 
oldest of whom was Henry, the 
subject of this sketch, and with his 
little family was wending his way 
back to his early home in Missouri. 
W'lien St. Louis was yet but a 
little l'"rench village with not a 
hundred tin\- dwellings, I have 
heard his wife tell how she felt 
when she with the three little chil- 
dren were set across the river and 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON 



13 




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14 



LIFE AND LABORS OF 



the skiff had gone back for an- 
other load, how the Indians came 
to the bank and looked down upon 
her and the children with their 
blankets wrapped about them, and 
paint on their faces ; before the 
perpendicular bluffs had been cut 
away, and only one narrow^ cut in 
the bank to provide a means of 
exit. The family located back of 
St. Louis about i6 miles on the 
Meramec river, where his father 
built and operated for many years 
a grist mill and carding factory. 
Here he grew to manhood, learn- 
ing habits of industry and frugal- 
ity. He became in time a practical 
miller, an engineer, and acquired 
some education. 

At the age of 19 he was united in 
marriage to Miss Rebecca Young, 
in 1835, at which time his father 
gave him 100 acres of land and he 
began to improve it, but finding 
this a very slow and uphill busi- 
ness he sold his land for $1,200 and 
removed to Southern Illinois in 
the year 1837, locating on wild 
prairie land in Short's Prairie, one 
and a half miles east of George- 
town, (now Steelesville), in Ran- 
dolph county. At this early day 
there were a great many difficulties 
to encounter and discouragements 
to face, and among other things he 
lost his first born, a little two year 
old girl. Another soon took her 
place, however, and following this, 
three boys gladdened the home, 
the oldest of whom was born in 
1 8.:; 2, while he was attending 



Shurtleff Theological College at 
Alton, 111. The daughter's name 
was Mary, and the boys' George, 

Henry and Parker. And in 

1848, death came and took his wife 
away, which was a sore affliction, 
and brought an increase of cares 
and responsibilities, so he man- 
aged to get along for a time, car- 
ing for a part of his little family 
at home while some went to live 
with their grand parents. The 
youngest was taken by a brother- 
in-law, Capt. Senica Parker and 
wife, wdio became so attached to 
the child that they kept and raised 
him. And on November 6th, 1849, 
he was again married, this time to 
a Airs. Nancy Hill, of Centerville, 
111., who had one son ; and to this 
marriage was born five sons. 
Abram G., Noel R., Charles S., 
Edward B., and Ora C. ; these with 
the step-son, Wm. S. Hill, made a 
family of ten children, all of whom 
they raised to man and woman- 
hood, and all were married and had 
homes, and for fifty years there 
was not a death in the family (ex- 
cept the second son, Henry, who 
died in 1893), from the death of 
his wife in 1848 to his own death 
in 1898. He continued to live on 
and improve his farm, l)ut failing 
health compelled him in 1852 to 
make the long and tedious trip 
across the plains to California. 
That year was one of the years 
when so many people were afflicted 
with gold fever, and crossed the 
plains in all kinds of trains in 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



15 



search of wealth. Some with 
horses, some with oxen, but he se- 
lected the unique and unusual, a 
team of milk cows, thus providing 
themselves with means of subsist- 
ence as well as transportation. I 
can remember well when they yok- 
ed the cows together and began to 
break them in to work. Thus 
equipped he took with him two 
neighbors, Westly Higgerson and 
Noah Guymon, and for over six 
months they trudged along over 
that long and tiresome journey. 
Higgerson was a partner, but Guy- 
mon worked his passage by driv- 
ing grazing and watching the team 
of nights. Six months later found 
them all in California, and with 
health much improved. After 
spending a few months he re- 
turned by vessel by way of Panama 
route, only to be taken at New Or- 
leans with a fever, which resulted 
in bringing on dyspepsia again, and 
thus returned to his family after a 
year's absence almost as sorely af- 
flicted as when he went away. He 
renewed his efforts and labors on 
the farm, but in 1855 was com- 
pelled again to give it up, and re- 
moved this time to O'Fallon, 
in St. Clair Co.. 111., and embarked 
in the mercantile business in a 
small way, being the first person 
to start any kind of business in the 
place, now grown to be quite a 
city. The B. & O. Southwestern, 
then called the "Ohio & INIississip- 
pi R. R.," had just been built, and 
we were there when the third rail 



was laid changing it from a broad 
gauge to a compromise gauge. 

This business he continued for 
about one year. Health growing 
better he again returned to the 
farm, and it being rented for a 
longer period the man would not 
give it up, so he built another 
house on another part of land and 
enlarged his farm until it was now 
about 400 acres. Here he contin- 
ued to live and raised his large 
family, giving them all a fair edu- 
cation, sending three of them off 
to college, making of them a 
preacher, a lawyer and a doctor, 
and in 1885, being advanced in 
years, he left the old farm and 
moved to Campbell Hill, 111., his 
family having all married and he 
and his wife lived alone there for 
about seven years. Selling this 
property they went to Percy, III, 
near the old homestead, and built 
them a house where they lived 
comfortably to the date of his 
death, at the advanced age of al- 
most 82 vears. 



CHAPTER II. 



I have no exact data to guide 
me, as to the time of his conver- 
sion and entering the ministry, as 
he kept no diary or memorandum 
of his work ; always had the 
strongest aversion to anything like 
egotism or self-praise, or of what 
he had done, and thus no record 
is left as to dates and work accom- 
plished. 



16 



LIFE AND LABORS OF 




REV. H. S. GORDON. 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



17 



But about the year 1837 he 
united with the Baptist church at 
Georgetown, 111,, sometimes called 
Steele's Mills, and Steelesville, in 
honor of old Uncle Geo. Steele, 
who was the founder of the town 
and owned and operated a large 
grist mill driven by wild cattle or 
horses on an old-fashioned incline 
wheel. And shortly after, the 
church passed a resolution asking 
Bro. Gordon to exercise his gift 
in the way of public speaking. This 
he did, and shortly thereafter he 
was ordained to the Gospel minis- 
try by the usual forms of the Mis- 
sionary Baptist Church. 

He soon realized, however, that 
his education was not adequate to 
this very important undertaking, 
and there being no facilities or ad- 
vantages convenient at hand, he 
arranged to take his family, being 
a wife and one child, at that time 
with him to Alton, 111., and in 
1841 he entered the theological de- 
partment of Shurtlefif College. 
Here he remained for about two 
years, working nights and morn- 
ings and Saturdays for his board 
and his wife's at the very desirable 
occupation of chopping cord wood 
and splitting rails, and as troubles 
never come singly, it was at this 
time that the first boy came to 
their home. When he had finished 
school he moved back again and 
took up his work already begun, 
and for the first eight years he 
preached all over Southern Illinois, 
became quite popular, as he was a 



very able preacher ; organized 
churches and made himself gener- 
ally useful. In fact he was the 
only college man in the Associa- 
tion, and was employed by the As- 
sociation in the capacity of a mis- 
sionary to preach throughout the 
bounds of the Association and or- 
ganize churches, the parent society 
at New York to pay one-half of 
his salary, which was to be $400 
per year. He had entered upon 
this work, meeting with fair suc- 
cess. The reader will bear in mind 
that the first ten or twelve years 
of his ministry was given to the 
Missionary Baptist Church, and 
the church to which he belonged 
was a member of the Nine Mile 
Asssociation. 

On April 28th, 1850, in the 
prosecution of his work as mission- 
ary he organized a church at 
Looney Springs (now Campbell 
Hill), in Jackson county, 111., with 
nine members as follows : John 
McLaughlin, John Burlison (still 
living), Mary Henry, Sarah White, 
Serena Bradley, Mary White, 
Nancy Petty, Jane Burlison and 
Susan Harrison, all of whom so 
far as they understood endorsed 
the doctrines of the Missionary 
Baptist Church. It was announc- 
ed that at the next meeting the 
Sacrament of the Lord's Supper 
would be administered, which in 
the meantime was discussed in the 
neighborhood by the members of 
the new church as well as others, 
and there was quite a general feel- 



18 



I,IFE AND I,ABORS OF 



ing- among the meml)ers (for 
churches were very scattering in 
Illinois at this time) that their 
Methodist a n d Presbyterian 
neighbors, of which there was two 
or three in the vicinity, might com- 
mune with them. This was said 
by some to be contrary to the us- 
ages of the Baptist Church, and it 
was agreed among themselves to 
leave the whole matter to their 
new pastor. Bro. Gordon, when he 
came, for their meetings were held 
monthly. However, the agitation 
was continued with nutch earnest- 
ness until the time came and he ar- 
rived, and they presented the mat- 
ter to him privately, one by one. 
And now the great and important 
question must be met somehow. 
These people are right and my 
Church is wrong- on this vital ques- 
tion, and in his own words : "I 
yielded to their entreaties and gave 
my consent, although I had never 
publicly advocated free commun- 
ion in my life," but their claim was 
just and their cause scriptural, "so 
I yielded my acquired denomina- 
tional prejudices." And after 
preaching. I invited the members 
forward to the front seats. "Also 
if there are any persons of our 
'faith and order" you will come 
forward and be seated with us." 
A few came who were members 
of the Georgetown church. Now- 
said he, "I have extended the in- 
vitation as far as my denomination 
allows me; does this church wish 
it extended farther? All wjio do 



please stand to your feet." And the 
church all stood. Now said he. "I 
invite all believers present to a seat 
with us at the Lord's table," which 
offence in the eyes of Close Com- 
munion Baptist was so heretical 
that he had hardly got back home 
from his appointment until charges 
were preferred against him and he 
was called to appear before his 
church and give an account for this 
departure from Baptist usages, for 
which offence he was excluded 
from his church for — in the lan- 
guage of the Moderator — "damna- 
ble heresy." 

That this history may be com- 
plete, and set forth all the facts 
connected with the trial and ex- 
clusion of Rev. Henry S. Gordon 
from the Missionary Baptist 
Church at Georgetown (now 
Steelesville) I will give the report 
of the committee in full, as fol- 
lows : 

Trial and Exclusion of Rev. H. S. 

Gordon from the Baptist Church 

at Georgetown. Randolph Co., 

111.:— 

We whose names are hereunto 
assigned, being a committee ap- 
pointed by the newly organized 
Baptist Church at Georgetown, 
Randolph county. Illinois, to pre- 
pare and publish an account of the 
trial and exclusion of Rev. H. S. 
Gordon from the old B)aptist 
Church of that place, make the fol- 
lowing as our report in compliance 
of their recpiest. 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



19 



At a meeting- of the Baptist 
Church December 17th, 1850, Rev. 
T. Rawson enqtiired of the Church 
to know whether the conduct of 
some of the members of this 
chtirch in comnuming with the 
Looney Springs church was a 
pubhc ofifence or not. In order 
that Church might fully under- 
stand the motion Bro. Gordon 
made the following explanation : 

The Looney Springs church, 
said he, which I assisted in con- 
stituting in April last with 9 mem- 
bers, and selected me as pastor is 
in a prosperous condition and 
numbers now between 50 and 60 
members. The last meeting was a 
sacramental occasion. The breth- 
ren and sisters were requested to 
come and take their seats, the in- 
vitation was then given to visiting 
members of the Baptist denomina- 
tion ; among others that accepted 
this invitation were several mem- 
bers of the Georgetown church. 
Now, said he, I have extended the 
invitation as far as our denomina- 
tion is in the habit of extending, 
but do you wish to extend it any 
further? I submit the matter with 
you. All who wish to extend it to 
all Christians please rise up. The 
church unanimously rose ; all 
Christians were then invited to 
come and partake with them. Sev- 
eral came. 

After this explanation of the 
matter they resolved to investigate 
the subject at its next meeting, and 
that a council of ministers of the 



denomination be invited to attend, 
whereupon Elders Peck, Boykin, 
Peters. Lemon, Arnett, Phillips 
and Hale were invited. 

January 18. 1851, Church met 
agreeable to appointment, P. Heg- 
lar. Moderator. On motion the 
subject was taken up for investiga- 
tion, but instead of investigating 
it the Church was formed into a 
regular court to try the said Gor- 
don and others for being "public 
ofifenders." Mr. Rawson then pro- 
ceeded to read several letters, one 
from D. L. Phillips, also some ar- 
ticles from the Western Watch- 
man, one written by Peck and an- 
other by Boykin, in answer to the 
invitation sent them by the Church. 

The defendants then enquired to 
know whether these letters were to 
be taken as evidence in this case, 
and were answered in the affirma- 
tive. These letters set forth Baptist 
principles and Baptist usages, says 
the Chtirch. therefore they are to 
be taken as evidence. The de- 
fendants then urged that they 
should be tried by the Bible and 
not by usages ; if our conduct has 
been contrary to the Bible, we 
will acknowledge and forsake it, 
but try us by the Bible ; the Bible — 
the Bible alone, and not by usages. 
But they urged in vain. The Bible 
was not to I)e the rule in this case. 
Every church has a right to make 
its own laws, said Arnett. 

Gordon then urged the impropri- 
ety of making usages the rule of 
our conduct, and mentioned sev- 



20 



LIFE AND LABORS OF 



eral historical facts as illustrations 
of what usages had been, and that 
there had been usages, and many 
of them had been wrong. He had 
not proceeded far before some of 
the brethren became exceedingly 
restless, and began to mutter and 
talk. At length their indignation 
rose so high that they could not re- 
strain their feelings any longer, 
and springing from their seats, 
brethren * * * in a tone of perfect 
rage, cried out : Put him out ! Turn 
him out ! He is not of us ! Turn him 
out ! We are not going to be abus- 
ed in our own house in this way. 
Put him out ! And the defendant 
was not allowed to proceed any 
further. Bro. Arnett was then 
called on to give his opinion in this 
matter. He arose and gave a very 
sympathetic exhortation to those 
who had violated Baptist usages, 
but charged all the sin on Bro. 
Gordon. He had no doubt if it 
was to do over again, these mem- 
bers would not do so any more ; 
exhorted Bro. Gordon to be an ex- 
ample to the flock and adhere to 
those customs of the Church which 
had been long in use, telling him 
that Methodists and Presbyterians, 
&c., would not come if he did in- 
vite them ; that they were all close 
communionists, and that he 
would lose his reputation if he 
would have such notions ; that the 
ministers of the South District As- 
sociation always thought a great 
deal of him, but now abandon him, 
and that his course would hurt his 



brothers' feelings ; that he himself 
had always been a great friend of 
his and had taken him in one cold 
night, and treated him kindly, and 
concluded by urging him to ac- 
knowledge his fault, to all of which 
Gordon made a short reply. Elder 
Hale then rose to speak in behalf 
of those who were charged, but 
was refused to be heard in their 
favor, but they urged that he had 
a right to speak, for the Church 
had invited him there. The Mod- 
erator then decided that he should 
only give his opinions on the sub- 
ject, and the defendants were not 
allowed to have any council what- 
ever. After a great many ques- 
tions by various brethren by way 
of cross-examination, a motion 
was made to adjourn, but the de- 
fendants objected, unless the 
Church would agree to meet again. 
We don't want the matter to stop 
in this manner, said they. 

The defendants are charged with 
making this difficulty ; if they will 
just let us alone, said the Modera- 
tor. Bro. Gordon then arose and 
asked the congregation who made 
this difficulty? and if there was a 
single person in the house who had 
ever heard him preach or teach the 
doctrine of free communion. No 
one said they had. Well, if we 
have never preached nor talked 
about it, why does the Moderator 
ask us to "let them alone?" 

Now, said he, I do for the first 
time publicly avow it. I do believe 
all Christians should commune to- 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



21 



gether. Then asked time to give 
some reasons why he beheved so. 
Ten minutes were then allowed 
him, when he stated some eight or 
ten objections to restricted com- 
munion. On motion the question 
was then put to the Church to say 
whether these persons had violated 
Baptist usages, and it was decided 
they had. After this decision was 
made it was unanimously agreed 
that those sisters should be excus- 
ed on the score of ignorance ! but 
Bro. Gordon knew better ; there- 
fore he should make his acknowl- 
edgements. He replied that he 
was not convinced that he had 
done wrong, therefore he could 
not make any acknowledgment 
until he was convinced of his er- 
ror from the Bible. More than 
that, no acknowledgment could be 
satisfactory to the Church, be- 
cause a very respectable part of it 
thought he had done right. Af- 
ter much confusion and evidently 
angry feelings among the accusers 
themselves, they finally succeeded 
in forming the following resolu- 
tion : 

Resolved, that H. S. Gordon be 
excluded from the fellowship of 
this Church. 

It being suggested by some one 
that if these other parties were 
excused they would now be al- 
lowed to vote in this case ; but that 
privilege was refused them, and 
they were not allowed their vote, 
although thev were exonerated 



from all charge. The question 
w^as then put and carried by a 
small majority, and the said Gor- 
don was excluded from the 
Church. The Moderator then re- 
marked by way of sympathy that 
he had no doubt but those persons 
were good Christians, but they 
were not good Baptists, and the 
meeting adjourned. 

R. A. BRADLEY, 

J. A. BRADLEY, 

E. T. REESE, 

THOS. MARTIN, 

DR. JOB LAWRENCE, 

Committee. 
The following was printed on 
the back of the sheet containing 
the above account of the trial : 

In view of the above facts, the 
unreasonableness of the charge, 
and the base injustice that was 
done the man, a great part of the 
Church became greatly dissatis- 
fied, and the following notice was 
read on the following Sabbath in 
the meeting house : 

In view of present circumstances 
it has been thought proper that a 
meeting be held in this place at 
one o'clock next Saturday for the 
purpose of taking into considera- 
tion the propriety of forming a 
new^ church. 

The old house was refused 
them, and on Saturday, February 
I, 1851, one o'clock, the congre- 
gation assembled at the residence 
of Deacon Jno. T. Short. The 
meeting was called to order by ap- 
pointing R. A. Bradley, Esq.. 



21 



LIFE AND LABORS OF 



chairman, and Jno. McLau^^hlin 
secretary. After prayer by H. S. 
Gordon, the chair explained the 
object of .the meeting. The meet- 
ing being properly organized, pro- 
ceeded to discuss the propriety of 
a new church organization. The 
brethren and friends conversed 
freely on the subject, and the 
meeting was addressed by Rev. H. 
S. Gordon, Dr. Job Lawrence, 
Rev. Jno. Mathews and M. E. Lof- 
ton, Esq. After the subject had 
been freely discussed for some 
time, Bro. Gordon offered the 
form of a constitution for the fur- 
ther consideration of the meeting. 
After sufficient deliberation it was 
proposed that all who wished to 
form a new organization and 
adopt such a constitution should 
come forward and take their seats, 
whereupon twenty-five presented 
themselves — all members of the 
Baptist church at that place — and 
organized themselves into a 
church, adopting the following 
covenant and constitution : 

We whose names are hereunto 
subscribed, being personally ac- 
quainted and having confidence in 
each other's piety, agree to asso- 
ciate ourselves together in church 
relationship for the purpose of 
each other's mutual benefit, to 
watch over each other in the spirit 
of Christian kindness, to pray with 
and for each other, and in all pru- 
dent manner seek each other's 
present and eternal good. Agree 
to adopt the following as our con- 
stitution : 



Article i. We wish to be called 
the Baptist Church of Christ. 

Art. 2. We agree to take the 
scriptures of the Old and New 
Testaments as the all-sufficient 
rule of our faith and practice. 

Art. 3. We understand the 
Scriptures to teach the sovereign- 
ity of God — the accountability of 
man — the divinity of Christ — the 
influence of the Spirit — the resur- 
rection of the dead — the final judg- 
ment — the everlasting happiness 
of the righteous, and the misery of 
the \\icked. 

Art. 4. We understand the 
Scriptures to teach the necessity 
of repentance for sins, faith in the 
Lord Jesus Christ : the all import- 
ance of humble devout prayer to 
God ; salvation through the merits 
of Jesus Christ alone, and free for 
all who would embrace it. 

Art. 5. We view Baptism as an 
indispensable duty that all believ- 
ers in Christ should perform, and 
that immersion is the proper mode 
of receiving it. 

Art. 6. We believe it to be our 
duty to invite all Christians to par- 
take with us in communion at the 
Lord's table, and to exercise 
Christian charity to all mankind. 

Art. 7. We further believe it to 
be our duty to extend the preached 
Gospel to the destitute as far as 
in our power lies. 

Art. 8. We also believe it to be 
our duty to live peaceably with all 
men, as far as possible, and keep 
a conscience void of offence to- 
ward God and man. 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



23 



Art. 9. This constitution may be 
altered or amended at any regu- 
lar meeting of the Church ; pro- 
vided notice has been given at a 
preceding meeting, and two-thirds 
of the members present are in fa- 
vor of the alteration. 

Thus you will observe how God 
providentially seems to have led in 
this whole matter, whereby Bro. 
Gordon became the leader and 
founder of a body of Christians in 
Southern Illinois, without an}^ sel- 
fish interest, ambition or motive 
prompting, only to be true to his 
convictions. 

There were now two churches, 
and shortlv after he organized 
Pipestone, at what is now called 
Denmark ; also another near 
Rockwood, still called Pleasant 
Ridge. These four he organized 
into an association in 1851 and 
named it the Southern Illinois As- 
sociation of Free Communion 
Baptists. Under his ministry these 
churches grew very rapidly, and 
the new church at Georgetown had 
l)uilt a new house within the first 
three months and had increased 
its membership to 60. His preach- 
ing was pungent and powerful and 
at every service persons were add- 
ed to the Church, and baptisms oc- 
curred every month. 

Bro. Gordon's ability as a 
preacher, his remarkable vocabu- 
lary, fine use of language, native 
oratory, great earnestness, and 
natural adaptability to the work 



to which he had been so unexpect- 
edly called, admirably fitted him 
to become the leader of a more 
advanced and liberal view of Chris- 
tianity at a time in the history of 
the Baptist Church when it was 
anything but popular. But it was 
not popularity he was seeking af- 
ter. Although the people came by 
thousands to hear him preach, and 
every service witnessed conver- 
sions fre(|uently by the score, and 
every monthly meeting" baptisms. 

With this t'errible pressure he 
continued to go from place to 
place, everywhere preaching the 
Gospel. 

I would not be saying too much, 
no, not enough, if I should say 
that he had done more to create a 
moral and religious sentiment in 
the towns of Percy and Campbell 
Hill, where he had preached and 
lived, than any other dozen men 
in the community. 

In the home he was very social, 
fond of company and enjoved a 
joke, sometimes quite facetious. I 
asked him to tell me something of 
his early life, and his reply was, 
"There was nothing remarkable 
about my early life except my ex- 
treme awkwardness." 

Free \\'ill, h^ree Grace, and Free 
Communion, became the theme on 
every tongue, and calls to preach 
elsewhere multiplied upon him, 
and the work broadened and en- 
larged until it had reached over 
several counties. He organized 
a church at Ava, then called Head- 



24 



LIFE AND LABORS OF 



quarters. Camp Creek, Sato. De 
Soto, several across Muddy river 
and eastward into Franklin and 
Hamilton, counties. The apostle 
of a new doctrine, and success 
crowned his efforts and the enor- 
mity of the work began to dawn 
upon him and how God was mys- 
teriously impelling him forward 
not only as the founder but leader 
in this very popular movement, 
and bringing to his assistance such 
men as Hon. R. A. Bradley and 
Judge Wm. Bradley, who were 
both brought into the church and 
the ministry under his preaching. 
He began to cast about him for 
somebody who held to and believ- 
ed the Bible as he did, and hear- 
ing of a people in Indiana who 
preached and practiced baptism by 
immersion and free communion, 
resolved to go and see for himself 
what there might be. And so in 
the fall of 1854 he associated with 
himself Rev. Wm. Bradley and 
Deacon John T. Short, and 
equipped with wagon and team, 
blankets and some provisions, cof- 
fee pot and fry pan. started out on 
what in that day was a long and 
tedious journey (for there was not 
a railroad in Southern Illinois at 
that time), to attend a meeting of 
the Liberty Association of General 
Baptists, and there he met their 
founder. Rev. Benoni Stinson, 
learned from whence they came, 
who and what they were, their 
doctrines, &c., which visit resulted 
in a fraternal and reci]:)rocal cor- 



respondence which was continued 
for many years. Finding them 
one in doctrine and church gov- 
ernment, two years later he with 
his people adopted the name "Gen- 
eral Baptist," which name they 
bore for about twenty years. 

Father Gordon was truly a re- 
former, and took advanced stands 
upon all the moral questions of the 
da}-, a very pronounced temper- 
ance man, 30 years before the 
Murphy movement began, and a 
strong advocate for legal prohibi- 
tion, he voted as he preached, and 
from 1880, when Neal Dow ran 
for President on the Prohibition 
ticket to the date of his death he 
voted the Prohibition ticket 
straight. All questions that came 
to him received careful considera- 
tion. A profound thinker, a care- 
ful and logical reasoner, a safe 
councilor, a philanthropist, and 
the true friend of humanity. There 
was a sternness of character and 
determination of purpose in him 
that was equaled only by his gen- 
tleness and kind heartedness. So- 
lemnity rested upon him as a man- 
tle when he approached the mercy 
seat, and when he communed with 
God he talked as man to man. A 
friend to education, his voice was 
always heard in behalf of our public 
school system, having given some 
time to the school room, the ferule 
and the recitation class himself. 

He still continued to preach and 
organize churches and to enlarge 
his field of usefulness. He went 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



25 



through heat and cold, through 
dust and mud, crossed swollen 
streams and traversed trailless ways 
to reach his appointments ; travel- 
ed more miles, preached more ser- 
mons and baptized and received 
into membership more persons 
than any Baptist minister of his 
dav. His life work was an illus- 
tration of the possible strain and 
endurance of the human body, and 
with all his manifold duties and 
labors, the oversight and care of 
the churches he never for a mo- 
ment lost sight of home responsi- 
bilities, the care of a large family 
and the cultivation of a large 
farm, all of which under God's 
blessing enlarged and prospered. 

Aside from doctrinal sermons 
his preaching was of a peculiar 
type, his favorite themes being 
"Love," "The Angels," and 
"Heaven," and his descriptions of 
the New Jerusalem, or his celestial 
flights among the angels, or his 
dissertations upon the "Love of 
God," were not only a pleasure 
and delight to hear, but an inspir- 
ation to any one ambitious to 
preach or hear the good news of 
the Kingdom. 

He was not made up of idiosyn- 
crasies, nor attracted the people 
by his eccentricities, nor was he 
unlike common humanity in the 
main, but there was one thing he 
did not like, and that was chicken. 
Returning one Monday morning 
from his appointment, as the day 
began to wear away he thought 



he would stop at the house of an 
old friend and get some dinner. 
Dismounting he hitched his mare 
at the gate and went in. After the 
usual salutation he told his busi- 
ness, and presently he saw two of 
the girls after a chicken. He 
sauntered leisurely down to the 
gate and mounting his old black 
filley he rode away. Here we 
have one case at least on record of 
a preacher who did not like 
chicken. He possessed a very keen 
sense of honor, and held truth in 
verv high esteem, fond of flowers, 
music and poetry, especially did he 
admire Milton, Pollock and 
Young, and in his preaching quot- 
ed very largely from the poets. I 
remember hearing him tell of a 
vain search for his poet's name, 
how he forgot what the poet said, 
and so had to inform his audience 
that he had "forgotten the poet's 
name and what he said." Soon af- 
ter his return from college he was 
honored with having a minister of 
considerable ability to hear him 
preach. After the service the 
minister approached him with, "I 
was nmch refreshed under your 
preaching.'" Indeed? "Yes; I had 
a real good nap." He enjoyed a 
joke, especially if it was on him- 
self. 

For many years he had associ- 
ated with him Rev. Wm. Bradley. 
They had grown to be very fast 
friends. In the troublesome times 
of the Civil War, when the nation 
was shook from center to cir- 



26 



LIFE AND LABORS OF 



cumferencc. and men were wild 
with excitement, and war's terri- 
bly demoralizing- influence was af- 
fecting the social fabric in every 
department, they w-ent everywhere 
preaching the Word, and amidst 
the excitement and strife, such as 
this country never felt before or 
since, he went straight forward 
with the Master's business. 

The doctrine of open commun- 
ion among Baptists in the West 
was an unknown factor in relig- 
ious circles anterior to 1850, and it 
took a fearless and courageous 
man to declare for it. Perhaps it 
required as much firnuiess to es- 
pouse the Free Communion ques- 
tion in 1850 as it did in the days 
of Randall to launch out against 
the Baptists and Congregational- 
ists on the doctrine of Calvinism, 
the freedom of the will. Of course 
he incurred the displeasure of the 
Close Baptists. While today it is 
rare to find a Missionary Baptist 
church in any of our cities exclud- 
ing any Christian from the Lord's 
table, but simply set the table and 
say nothing about it, let come to 
the table who may, doing virtually 
the very same thing for which they 
excluded him from their fellow- 
ship. He lived in advance of his 
age, not only on the conuiiunion 
question, but many other c[ues- 
tions. This, however, was the 
pivotal point then. This was the 
question of all others, and devel- 
opments in the past few years has 
proven him more farsighted than 
they all. 



He and his followers were quite 
frequently dubbed "Freewillers," 
"Free Communionists," ''The 
'•Freewills," &c., in derision, of 
course, but in time they "benevo- 
lently assimilated" the first part 
of the name and since 1876 have 
been known as Free Baptists, hav- 
ing in that year been connected 
with the larger body of Baptists 
in the East, holding identically 
the same views on Free Grace, 
Free Will, Free Salvation and 
Free Communion. 

It is a matter of some regret 
that no memoranda was kept of 
his travels, churches organized, 
sermons preached, number of mar- 
riages solemnized, persons bap- 
tized, &c., by which an adequate 
idea of his indefatigable labors 
might be set in order, giving facts 
and dates, that it might be an in- 
centive to others to emulate his 
busy, active life. But 'tis enough 
to say that for 60 years he never 
faltered, nor hesitated but went 
where duty called. The last few 
years of life he did not take much 
regular work, but did continue to 
preach to the end, preached the 
funeral of xA.unt Mary Under- 
wood, one of his oldest members, 
only about two weeks before he 
died, and these last years when he 
could not go out of nights or bad 
weather, he took great delight in 
working in the Sunday school each 
Sabbath morning. The night he 
died he spent about an hour ex- 
plaining to two of the teachers the 



EEV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



27 



quite obscure lesson of January 
9th. 1898, of the "Temptation of 
Jesus/' as recorded in Matthew, 
fourth chapter and i-ii verses, 
where he was "led of the spirit 
into the wilderness to be tempted 
of the Devil," and when "he was a 
hungered," and "the pinnacle of 
the temple,'' and the "exceeding 
high mountain," they both re- 
marked how clear his brain and 
how beautifully he set forth this 
rather difficult and perplexing 
scripture. In spite of almost 82 
years, his mind seemed to have lost 
none if its former vigor, nor his 
tongue to speak in that remark- 
ably wide vocabulary that to him 
was a special gift, but few men 
are endowed with so broad a range 
of words or gifted in choosing just 
the right ones in the right place. 
This accounted largely for his abil- 
ity as an orator. He could hold 
an audience spell-bound for hours. 
The sixteenth annual meeting of 
the Southern Illinois Association 
of General Baptists was held with 
Mount Olivet church in Hamilton 
Co., in October, 1866. Bro. Gor- 
don preached the introductory 
sermon, "and on motion. Rev. J. 
S. Brown, of the Union Baptist 
Church, of near Lebanon, 111., be- 
ing present, was invited to sit with 
us in council ; also the correspond- 
ence to be reciprocated. Rev. H. S. 
Gordon was chosen to visit the 
above church." I was clerk of that 
meeting, and remember quite well 
when those two brethren met at 



that time, both having been ex- 
cluded from the Baptist church be- 
cause of the communion question ; 
how they fell upon each other's 
necks and wept. This visit re- 
sulted in bringing their three 
churches into the Association. In 
1869 the annual meeting was held 
at Georgetown, (now Steelesville,) 
and the Association had grown so 
large and unwieldy, embracing 
Randolph, Franklin, Jackson, 
Saline, Williamson, Hamilton. 
Washington. St. Clair and Perry 
counties, that upon a motion by 
Rev. Wm. Carlyle "that the ter- 
ritory be divided and all the 
churches east of the Illinois Cen- 
tral railroad be formed into a new 
association, to be known as the 
Mt. Olivet Association of General 
Baptists, which was carried," and 
"H. S. Gordon, Wm. Bradley, J. 
C. Gilliland and G. A. Gordon be 
appointed from this meeting to as- 
sist them in their organization." 
Father Gordon was Moderator of 
this meeting. The labors of Bro. 
Gordon began to bear fruits across 
the Mississippi river in Alissouri, 
and about this time a quarterly 
meeting was organized over there, 
known as the St. Francois Quar- 
terly Meeting. So churches con- 
tinued to increase in numbers, 
ministers were gathered about 
him, the membership of the 
churches increased rapidly. A lack 
of religious literature, suited to the 
needs of his people, with no 
schools or colleges at all, created a 



28 



LIFE AND LABORS OF 



demand on this line that needs 
must be satisfied. Acquaintanceship 
with the Free Will Baptists, who 
had two religious newspapers and 
a number of good schools had 
ripened into personal visitations 
by this time, that opened the way 
for a consolidation of our forces, 
Avhich now numbered six Quarter- 
ly Meetings. About this time 
there was a general movement all 
over the states among liberal Bap- 
tists in this same direction, and 
conventions were being held to 
further this end. Rev. J. C. Gilli- 
land, Wm. Bradley, the writer and 
others were active in this direc- 
tion, and on the fourth Sunday in 
March, 1877, a convention was 
called by the writer to meet at 
Looney Springs church, to deter- 
mine upon what action should be 
taken in the matter. Rev. H. S. 
Gordon was Moderator of this 
meeting, and it was unanimously 
agreed to adopt the name "Free- 
will" and report to the next ses- 
sion of the Central Illinois Year- 
ly Meeting, which had been 
organized at Flkton the fall before 
by four of the smaller Quarterly 
Meetings of this Association. 
Franklin Co. Quarterly Meeting 
did the same thing, and now the 
whole entire body of six Quarter- 
ly Meetings were thrown together 
in the work. 

Bro. Gordon still continued to 
lead and direct in this grand work 
for God and humanity, and was 
imanimously regarded as our 



greatest preacher, and acknowl- 
edged leader, and to whom all 
looked for council and advice. The 
result of these years of labor so far 
is dilificult to properly estimate, as 
in those days there were many 
people restless and unsettled, a 
condition in part growing out of 
the years of war that had pre- 
ceded and partly the very common 
custom of going West and "grow- 
ing up with the country." Natural- 
ly ministers would be affected in 
the same way, thus a number of 
our ministers went to Missouri, 
Kansas and elsewhere, who con- 
tinued to preach the doctrine of 
the Free Baptist Church. And 
thus has gone out an influence 
from Bro. Gordon's preaching 
and teaching that has in a measure 
entered into the warp and filling 
of a number of bodies of Liberal 
Baptists. The Mt. Olivet Associ- 
ation of General Baptists, a direct 
result, the Southeast Missouri 
Yearly Meeting of Free Baptists, 
and individual churches scattered 
all over the adjacent territory can 
trace their origin to the work and 
teachings of Father Gordon. In 
all these years of constant travel 
and preaching, seldom missing a 
Sabbath in a year, he strove care- 
fully not to be burdensome to the 
churches, and so sensitive was he 
upon this subject that he received 
comparatively no salary at all, or 
at best only such things as would 
be given him — a ])air of knit 
woolen mittens, or wool socks, a 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



29 



wagon load of pumpkins. During 
the war when a great deal of cot- 
ton was grown in Southern Illi- 
nois, he brought home a bushel of 
cotton seed, which was planted on 
the farm, and when gathered and 
ready to sell, was obliged to be 
hauled in wagons over hilly roads 
for 35 or 40 miles to a cotton gin 
to get the seed out of it. Occa- 
sionally a good old sister who 
wanted to help spread the Gospel 
would give him a pair of hand knit 
gloves in two colors. These, of 
course, were something fine, such 
as only a preacher could afford. 
The wonderful part of it all is that 
for 60 years a man would continue 
to go constantly, persistently, with 
no let up or rest, and it did always 
disgust him with a minister who 
was worked so hard that his church 
would have to give him a vacation 
every summer. The fact is he had 
but little patience with such weak- 
lings. If he had a weakness him- 
self it was an indisposition to kill 
anything for food, such as a beef 
or hog or chicken. Others could 
kill if they chose, but he would 
do without flesh to eat all of his 
natural life before he would take 
the life of anything for food. And 
accustomed to hard labor he 
never shirked the hardest place up- 
on his farm, and then in that day 
farming was not as profitable as it 
might have been. I remember 
hearing him tell of raising one 
year a corn crop which when gath- 
ered, shelled and sacked, had to 



be hauled in wagons 17 miles. His 
crop that year (to sell) was 100 
bushels, for which he received a 
$10 bank note, and it proved to be 
a counterfeit, and the man would 
not take it back. In telling this 
circumstance he said it was hard 
to ever forgive that fellow. In 
his personal habits he was sys- 
tematic and orderly, was rather 
averse to fashionable dressing and 
finery ; while very unaffected and 
unassuming he always graced the 
pulpit with dignity, and while ex- 
tremely social with all with whom 
he came in contact, he was always 
dignified and genteel. 

He held moral character in very 
high esteem ; have often heard him 
say that morality was a large half 
of Christianity. He especially 
disliked untruth and deceit. 

He respected the opinions of 
those who differed with him so- 
cially, politically or religiously, 
but tied himself down to no man's 
theories, notions nor opinions, 
carefully investigated for himself 
all subjects and doctrines that pre- 
sented themselves or came up for 
solution or consideration. And in 
all those 60 years of public life 
was not sidetracked, but kept 
steadily on, right on. And in 
those years very many theories 
and fads flourished and grew fat. 
for instance, Millerism, which al- 
most run the country wild, Mor- 
monism which carried ofif its 
scores and hundreds to Nauvoo 
and Salt Lake, Spiritualism which 



30 



LIFE AND LABORS OF 



swept this country like wild fire 
and in places took whole commu- 
nities, but our leader pursued the 
even tenor of his way, and turned 
neither to the right hand or to the 
left. He was quick to discover 
truth, and equally quick to detect 
error. In argument he was logi- 
cal and scholarly, and above all 
intensely scriptural. He was mas- 
ter of his text book, the Bible, 
quoting whole chapters from mem- 
orv. He moved around among its 
promises, its parables and its mira- 
cles, as familiarly as friend with 
friend. Nor is its history, law, 
poetry or prophesy any the more 
perplexing. Truly a man of God, 
and learnedly learned in the deep 
things of his word. It was a real 
pleasure to sit and hear him ex- 
pound the Bible, to unravel the in- 
tricate and perplexing questions 
that almost defy solution. And with 
the lapse of years there seemed to 
be no abatement of his intellec- 
tual forces, but to almost 82 years 
of age his mind was as clear and 
as active as at 50. He attended 
Quarterly Meetings in his last 
years and took as profound inter- 
est in them as before, in fact such 
a meeting was held at his old 
home church at Percy, 111., on Fri- 
day, Saturday and Sunday before 
he died on Monday. All of its 
sessions he attended, except Sun- 
day night, and took his wanted in- 
terest in the business of the ses- 
sion. A discussion upon the pro- 
priety of establishing a religious 



newspaper in the bounds of the 
Central Illinois Yearly Meeting 
was before the body, and he spoke 
upon the subject, which was both 
prophetic and pointed. He intro- 
duced his remarks by saying, "My 
work is finished, and I have noth- 
ing more to do, but if I was a 
3'oung man I should not hesitate 
a moment, but know what I should 
do." And then pointing to the 
clerk of the Quarterly Meeting 
said. 'Tf I was you I would start 
the proposed paper.*' And so with 
any business of importance that 
was considered he took the same 
lively interest as in former years. 

The eighty-two years had not 
whitened his hair, and bent his 
form and bow'ed his head, as is 
most generally the case. His step 
had grown unsteady, which was 
the most visible sign of advancing 
age. but in spite of all those many 
years of activity, mentally and phy- 
sically, he was a remarkably well 
preserved man. I have often 
heard him ask the Lord that when 
he came to die he might retain his 
mind. And it would seem this his 
prayer was answered and his de- 
sire granted, for he passed away 
without a struggle. 

The Quarterly Aleeting was to 
close that night with a sermon, 
preceded by the young people's A. 
C. F. Society, and as the church 
was crowded to overflowing, hun- 
dreds being turned away. I remain- 
ed at the house to talk with him 
and mother until the young peo- 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



31 



]ile"s meeting was over, so stayed 
until about 7 o'clock, and upon bid- 
ding them good-by, for I was going 
home on the night train after 
church was over, he holding on to 
mv hand complimented my sermon 
that I had delivered that day at 1 1 
o'clock, which was the first time 
in mv thirty years that I had stood 
I)y him in the pulpit he had ever 
said a word complimentary or oth- 
erwise about my preaching. I 
went down to the church, and two 
of the neighbors, J. S. Weedon 
and Isaac Rury, who could not get 
in the church, called at the house, 
and they spent about an hour talk- 
ing on the Sunday school lesson, 
in w^hich he took the leading part, 
explaining some Scriptures hard 
to understand. And immediately 
upon their departure the old folks 
retired. He slept like a child all 
night, and the next morning at 6 
o'clock he complained of being 
cold. Sister Mary Grizzell had 
stayed all night, being in attend- 
ance at the Quarterly Meeting. 
She and mother did what they 
could to make him comfortable, 
but in an hour he was unconscious 
and died the following evening, 
doubtless without a pain, at least 
without a struggle. I was noti- 
fied and was earlv at his side next 



morning, and as I watched the 
"last sands falling from the hour 
glass," and saw that life going out. 
which could rise to the dignity of 
founding and leading a denomina- 
tion to victory, or stoop to relieve 
the smallest want of his helpless 
child, I felt that his prayer, "give 
me a peaceful hour in which to 
die," had been fully answered. 

It was meet that a life so well 
rounded up should spend his last 
waking hour on earth talking and 
teaching from the Book. He was 
held in high esteem by all who 
knew him, old and ycoung. Every- 
one who approached his door re- 
ceived a hearty and a cordial greet- 
ing, and the very large funeral cor- 
tege that followed his remains to 
the grave was a fitting expression 
of the affection that thus found ut- 
terance. The funeral services were 
appropriately conducted by Rev. 
J. C. Gilliland, T. O. McMinn and 

at the old home 

church at Percy, 111., vvhere his 
voice had been so often heard for 
almost half a century, speaking 
words of encouragement and 
hopefulness to afflicted and sor- 
rowing humanity. January 12th, 
1898, we laid him to rest under the 
wide spreading limbs of a sturdy 
old oak in the Jones grave yard, 
one mile west of Percy 111. 



Zl 



LIFE AND LABORS OF 





NANCY GORDON. 



MARY S. MACE- 



NANCY GORDON, 



MARY S. MACE, 



Widow of Rev. H. S. Gordon, to 
whom she was married November 
6th, 1849, daughter of Robt. and 
Mary Gooding. She was born 
March 4th, 1820. Married John 
Hill in 1840; had one child. Her 
hnsband died, and by her last mar- 
riage five boys were born to them, 
which with four step-children, 
made a family of ten children, all 
of Vv'hom she raised to manhood 
and vvomanhood. They lived on 
the farm, and she was a helpmeet 
to him indeed, both in his ministry 
and on the farm, for about 50 
years. She still lives at the ad- 
vanced age of 80 years in their 
old home in Percy, 111. 



The oldest child and only daugh- 
ter of Rev. H. S. and Rebecca 
Gordon, born March 3d, 1838. 
Converted and joined the Free 
Baptist church at Steeleville 
September 6th, 1851. United in 
marriage with Hon. S. P. Mace 
March 9th, 1856, who was a mem- 
ber of the Illinois Legislature 1876 
to 1878; the mother of three sons 
and one daughter ; was true to her 
church and faithful to her God for 
almost a half century. Removed 
to St. Louis with her family in 
1880, where she died December 
30tii. 1899, leaving her children 
the example of a well spent life. 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



.U 




REV. G. A. GORDON. 



HARRIET GORDON. 



REV. GEO. A. GORDON, 

Oldest son of Rev. H. S. and Re- 
becca Gordon, born at Alton, 111., 
April 14th, 1842; lived at Percy 
and Campbell Hill. Converted 
April i8th, 1861. Married Harriet 
Glore December 25th. 1866. Or- 
dained August, 1868. Did pastoral 
and evangelistic work to 1895, 
State agent ever since. Organ- 
ized a number of churches ; 
preached in Illinois, Missouri and 
Indiana. Was delegate to General 
Conference in 1880 at Wiers, N. 
H.; 1889 at Harpers Ferry, W. 
Va. ; 1892 at Lowell, Mass. ; 1895 
at Winnebago, Minn., and 1898 
at Ocean Park, Me. A member of 
the General Conference Board for 
10 years, helped in starting the 
Manning Bible School at Cairo, 



111., and at present editor of the 
"Illinois Free Baptist," and State 
agent for Illinois, and resides at 
Campbell Hill, 111. 

HARRIET GORDON, 

Oldest daughter of Jeptha and 
Margaret (Crisler) Glore, and wife 
of Rev. Geo. A. Gordon, born 
January 26th, 1846, at Shiloh Hill, 
111. Converted and joined the Free 
Baptist Church at Steelesville, 111., 
January ist, 1867. Has been an 
active worker in the Church and 
Sunday school and Children's 
Band ever since, and has rendered 
her husband invaluable assistance 
in his ministry. While busied with 
tne cares of a large household she 
always found time for her church 
work. She has been a faithful and 
true pastor's wife. 



34 



LIFE AND LABORS OF 




PARKER L. GORDON. 

PARKER L. GORDON, 

Son of Rev. H. S. and Rebecca 
Gordon, born September ist, 1847, 
near Steeleville, 111. At 18 entered 
the army as a drummer, and serv- 
ed through the Civil War; came 
home and married ; had one son. 
Married again and the second 
wife dying, he was married Oc- 
tober 27th, 1887, to Jane Weedon, 
being the third time. They have 
two children, whom they have 
adopted. He united with the 
Campbell Hill Free Baptist 
Church November, 1885, and in 
March, 1896, changed his mem- 
bership to Ava. He has been all 
his life engaged in the mercantile 
business. Now resides in his com- 
fortable home in Ava, 111. 




HENRY H;. GORDON. 

HENRY E. GORDON, 

Second son of Rev. H. S. and Re- 
becca Gordon, born November 
28th, 1844. Married S. Jane San- 
ders March 25th, 1869. Was con- 
verted and joined the Free Bap- 
tist Church in April, 1866, at 
Steeleville, 111.., and served the 
church as clerk for a number of 
years. Spent most of his life at 
Percy, 111., but later lived in St. 
Louis for about four years before 
his death, which occurred April 
1 8th, 1893, leaving a wife and an 
only son, Chas. H. Gordon, who 
followed his father on March 9th, 
1900, aged almost 26 years, leav- 
ing mother, who now resides at 
Frankfort, Ind. Henry E. was for 
a number of years a member of 
the Board of Deacons of Percy 
church, at Percy, 111. 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



35 




DEACON ABRAM G. GORDON. 



DR. NOEL. R. GORDON. 



ABRAM G. GORDON, 
Son of Rev. H. S. and Nancy Gor- 
don, born November 6th, 1849, at 
Steeleville, 111. Converted and 
joined the Free Baptist Church 
April, 1866. Attended Mclvendree 
College, studied law and admitted 
to the bar in 1871. Practiced his 
profession ever since at Chester, 
111. Married Jane Short Novem- 
ber 6th, 1872, and they have 
three children. Went into the or- 
ganization of a Free Baptist 
Church in Chester in 1896; served 
on the Board of Deacons since. 
Now resides in Chester, 111. 



DR. NOEL R. GORDON, 
Son of Rev. H. S. and Nancy Gor- 



don, born May 15th, 1851, at 
Steeleville, 111. Labored on the 
farm. Attended district school ; 
graduated from McKendree Col- 
lege at Lebanon, 111., 1872. At- 
tended St. Louis Medical College, 
from which he graduated in 1875. 
Married Miss Emma Hoskinson, 
of St. Joe, Mo., in 1875, and has 
two daughters, both married. 
Practiced medicine in Campbell 
Hill, 111., from 1875 to 1881 ; re- 
moved to Sparta, 111., where he 
continued his profession up to 
1885, when he took up special 
practice and located at Springfield, 
111., where he still resides and prac- 
tices as a specialist in the treat- 
ment of eye, ear, nose and throat. 



36 



LIFE AND LABORS OF 




CHAS. S. GORDON. 

CHAS. S. GORDON, 

Son of Rev. H. S. and Nancy Gor- 
don, born at Steeleville, 111., March 
19th, 1858. Received a lil)eral ed- 
ucation, and was united in mar- 
riage with Mattie E. Hammond. 
Joined the Percy Free Baptist 
Church October, 1874. Been en- 
gaged in the mercantile business 
most of his life. Now resides in 
Ava, 111., with his family of a wife 
and six children, and is a member 
of the Free Baptist Church at that 
jilace. 



MATTIU U. GORDON. 

MATTIE E. GORDON, 

Wife of Chas. S. Gordon, born 
September 14th, i860, in St. Louis, 
Mo. Her maiden name was Ham- 
mond. She was married September 
14th, 1880, the mother of six chil- 
dren, two boys and four girls. She 
joined the M. E. Church early in 
life, of which she still remains a 
member, and now presides over 
her little home, consisting of a 
husl)and and six happy, hopeful 
little ones in Ava, 111. 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



37 




DR. L. E. GORDON, 
Adopted son of Rev. Geo. A. and 
Harriet Gordon, born December 
19th, 1871. Received his early edu- 
cation at Campbell Hill, 111. ; grad- 
uated from the Dental Depart- 
ment of Washington University 
at St. Louis, Mo. Married Evan- 
geline Rogers November ist, 
1893. Lived at Carbondale, 111., 
five years, where he united with 
the M. E. Church and practiced 
his profession, in which he was 
very proficient. Removed to Me- 
tropolis, 111., where he was taken 
sick, brought back home and died 
June I ith, T(;;oo. 



E\ANGELINE GORDON, 
Wife of Dr. L. E. Gordon, born 
July 29th, 1874, at Campbell Hill, 
111. Attended school at home and 
at Waterloo, 111., and St. Louis, 
Mo. Alarried Dr. Gordon Novem- 
ber I St, 1893, by whom she bore 
two sons, Ralph Emmerson and 
Neal Dow, the former died No- 
vember 15th, 1900, at the age of 
4 year, 5 month and 21 days. She 
united with the M. E. Church at 
Carbondale, changing her mem- 
bership to Metropolis. 111., where 
she now resides. 



38 



LIFE AND LABORS OF 





REV. RICHARD A. BRADLEY. 



REV. WM. BRADLEY. 



REV. RICHARD A. BRAD- 
LEY, 

Son of Joshua and Ann (Giles) 
Bradley, born in Sumner Co., 
Tenn., January 3d, 1802. Came to 
Illinois early. Was converted and 
joined the Looney Springs Free 
Baptist Church (then General 
Baptist) June 23d, 1850, and was 
ordained to the Gospel ministry 
by Rev. H. S. Gordon on the 4th 
Sabbath in March, 1852, and was 
elected pastor the following 
month. Served as pastor for a 
number of years ; represented his 
county in the Illinois Legislature 
three terms, first in 1842 to 1844, 
then to 1846, and again from 1848 
to 1850, being 13th, 14th and i6th 
General Assemblies. 

In 1842 he was chairman of the 
jCommittee on Elections 



presented a bill to move the 
county seat to Murphysboro. In 
1844 was chairman of the Commit- 
tee on Public Buildings and 
Grounds, and presented a bill to 
reduce the fees of County Judges. 
Circuit and County Clerks, County 
Commissioners and Justices of the 
peace. In 1848 a bill to charter 
the Chester & Wabash R. R. At- 
tended 48 days, traveled on horse- 
back 400 miles and received for 
the two years $136. 

Married Elizabeth Oliver Oc- 
tober 24th, 1826; had 9 children. 
Lived in Campbell Hill, 111., where 
he died April i6th, i860, aged 58 
years and 3 months. 



REV. WM. BRADLEY, 
Son of Joshua and Ann (Giles) 
and Bradley, Iwrn in Sumner Co., 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



39 



Tenn., February 13th, 1814. Con- 
verted 1850; ordained October, 
1852. ^Married Serena Draper in 
1835. She died and in 18 — he mar- 
ried Mrs. Ross Reese, and died 
August loth, 1887. He preached 
in Southern IlHnois ; baptized sev- 
eral hundred converts and helped 
organize a great many churches. 



A man of wide acquaintanceship 
and wonderful influence. Twice 
elected County Judge and once 
Associate Judge of Jackson Co., 
and universally loved and respect- 
ed. Did pastoral work principally 
for 35 years. For the last 25 or 30 
years he resided in Murphysboro, 

in. 




THE OLD LOONEY SPRINGS CHURCH. 



THE OLD LOONEY SPRINGS 

CHURCH, 
Organized April 28th, 1850, by 
Rev. H. S. Gordon, who was its 
first pastor. This being the third 
house built, the first was built of 
logs, the next of boards and plas- 
tered inside, this of brick and was 
erected in 1865, w-as 36x50 feet 
and 12 feet high ; one-half mile east 



of Campbell Hill, 111., and was torn 
down in 1900, although it had not 
been used since 1883, when the 
new house was built in town. The 
original 9 members were : Jno. 
McLaughlin, Jno. Burlison and 
Mary Henry, Sarah White, Serena 
Bradley, Mary White, Nancy Pet- 
tie, Jane Burlison and Susan Har- 
rison. 



40 



I.IFK AND LABORS OF 




CAMPBELIv HII^I, FREK BAPTIST CHURCH. 



CAMPBELL HILL FREE BAP- 
TIST CHURCH, 

Better known as Looney Springs 
church, buih in 1883, at a cost of 
about $3,000, and is the first Free 
Baptist church in this part of the 
State, and is the one over which 
the difficuhy arose that resulted 
in the exchision of Rev. H. S. 
Gordon from the Close Baptist 
Church, and started the movement 
for Free Communion in 1850. 
Membership is about 200, and has 
a neat five room parsonage ad- 



joining. Its pastors have been 
Rev. H. S. Gordon, 2 years ; R. A. 
Bradley, 7 years; Wm. Bradley, 
1 1 years ; H. S. Gordon, 2 years ; 
Wm. Bradley, 4 years ; G. A. Gor- 
don, I year; Wm. Bradley, i year; 
G. A. Gordon, 13^ years ; Wm. 
Bradley, 21/2 years ; G. A. Gor- 
don. I year ; J. W. Phelps, 2 years ; 
T. O. McMinn, i>4 years; W. R. 
Wilson. I year; J. W. McMillan, 
I 2-3 years; G. A. Gordon, i year; 
H. S. Gordon, 3 years; G. A. Gor- 
don I year; J. L. Meads. 2 years, 
and A. J. Rendleman, 4 years. 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



41 




REV. J. L. TATUM. 



S. EMMA TATUM, 

WIFB OF J. L. TATUM. 



REV. J. L. TATUM, 

Born September i8th, 1856, son 
of Wm. B. and Emily (Johnson) 
Tatum. Gained a liberal education 
and was a successful school teach- 
er. Converted at 15 and joined the 
Baptist Church, and in 1888 unit- 
ed with the Free Baptist Church 
at Percy, 111. Felt called to preach 
soon after conversion, and was 
licensed in 1890, and ordained to 
the ministry by the Looney 
Springs Quarterly Meeting of 
Free Baptists ; served as pastor at 
Percy, and has been quite success- 
ful in evangelistic work. Now re- 
sides at Percv, 111. 



SUSAN E. TATUM, 

Wife of Rev. J. L. Tatum, born 
Covington, Ky., September 30th, 
1856, daughter of W. H. and In- 
diana (Minter) Stephens. She was 
married to W. J. Robins March 
27th, 1879. He died October 28th, 
1 88 1, and she married Rev. J. L. 
Tatum July 8th, 1885, ^"^ ^^ the 
mother of six children. Was con- 
verted and joined the Free Baptist 
Church at Percy, 111., in 1888, with 
which church she is still a faithful 
member, and president of the 
Woman's Missionary Society. 



42 



LIFE AND LABORS OF 




REV. GEO. C. BAGWILIv. 



MARY J. BAG WILL, 

WIFE OF REV. GEO. C. BAGWILL. 



REV. GEO. C. BAGWILL, 

Son of Daniel and Sarah Bagwill, 
born at Campbell Hill, 111., Sep- 
tember 14th, 1870. Received a 
common school education, and 
Avas united in marriage to Mary 
Jane Higgins December 31st, 
1 89 1. Joined the Free Baptist 
Church at Murphysboro, 111., in 
1893, and was licensed to preach 
in 1894, and ordained in 1898, and 
has done local work most of the 
time since. On September ist, 
1900, he was appointed president 



of the seventh sub-district U. M. 
W. of A., and resides with his 
wife and three little children at 
Percv, 111. 



MARY J. BAGWILL, 

Wife of Rev. Geo. C. Bagwill, 
born January 12th, 1875, ^^^'^ was 
married December 31st, 1891. 
Was converted and united with 
the Free Baptist Church at Mur- 
physboro. 111., in 1893, of which 
church she is still a faithful mem- 
ber. 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



43 










iSi. 
















/' 




^^ 








- 


---^vf.^ 








^1!V 


-^. 1 








-" 


-■— -^ 




;.#:; 






■'•, J 


k 



DEACON WM. c. Mccormick. 



MARTHA E. Mccormick. 



DEACON WM. C. McCOR- 
MICK, 

Born August 2d, 1832, in Indiana, 
son of A. G. and Frances McCor- 
mick, came to Illinois in 1837. 
Married Martha E. Talbot Janu- 
ary 14th, 1858, lived on their farm 
near Dry Hill for 41 years ; raised 
a large family of children, six of 
whom are living. For 27 years he 
lias been a worthy member of the 
Free Baptist Church. He has ac- 
ceptably filled the ofBce of deacon 
for many years, and for twenty 
years has been superintendent of 
the Sunday school. Served 
through the Civil War, and was 
seriously wounded at the sieee of 



Atlanta August 20th, 1864. Now 
living a retired life at Ava, 111. 



MARTHA E. McCORMICK, 

Wife of Deacon Win. C. McCor- 
mick and daughter of Wm. E. and 
EHzabeth (Crain) Talbot, born 
October 27th, 1841, in Jackson 
Co., 111. Married January 14th, 
1858; the mother of ten children, 
six of whom are now living. She 
joined the Free Baptist Church 
at Dry Hill, 111., at its organiza- 
tion and for many years was clerk 
(jf the Church, and an active 
Sunday school worker, and a true 
helpmeet to her husband in the 
church work. 



44 



LIFE AND LABORS OF 




C. M. BRADLEY AND WIFE). 



C. M. BRADLEY, 

Oldest son of Jas. H. and Ruth 
(CuUey) Bradley, born near Shi- 
loh Hill, III, Jan. 26th, 1848. Was 
converted and joined the Free 
Baptist Church at Sugar Hill, 
Jackson Co., 111., in 1865. Was for 
a number of years a member of 
De Soto Church, but for the past 
few years of Murphy sboro Church. 
United in marriage with Mary E. 



Bandy December 12th, 1867. She 
was born in Herrin's Prairie, Wil- 
liamson Co., 111., August 8th, 1846. 
Came to De Soto and was there 
married. Joined the M. E. Church 
in 1858, and in March, 1878, united 
with the De Soto Free Baptist 
Church. They have raised a large 
family, and now reside in Mur- 
physboro, where he has a prosper- 
ous business. 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



45 



J"*^ 




i^^^^l^^r ^F ''S/^HlBi 


^^^^^b^ ^^HHI 


^^^^^^^^^^^' fe^^^^^^H 




rb;v. morrili, a. shspard. 



MARY JANE SHEPARD. 



REV. MORRILL A. SHEPARD Nichols to come from the east to 

Illinois, where the}- engaged very 
successfully in evangelistic tent 
work, which under his direction 
proved a great blessing. The past 
12 years has been largely in evan- 
gelistic work ; has traveled and 
preached, especially emphasizing 
the doctrine of holiness. His pres- 
ent wife was formerly Mrs. Mary 
E. Griffin. He was three times a 
delegate to the General Confer- 
ence, attending the Centennial 
Session in 1880 at the Weirs in 
New Hampshire. Died Jan. 31, 
1901, at Grand Bay, Ala. 

MARY JANE SHEPARD, 
Oldest daughter of Major Jno. T. 
and Jane Moorehead, born near 
New Harmony, Ind., June 2d, 
1 83 1. Married' to Rev. M. A. 
Shepard July 7th, 1857. Mother of 
four children, two living, Olive B., 
and John A. She died March 15th, 
1898, and was a consistent mem- 
ber of the M. E. Church from her 
1 2th vear. 



Was born of old Puritan stock 
September 27th, 1833. His parents 
came from New Hampshire to 
what is now known as Linn, Wa- 
bash Co.. 111., the same year, and 
lived in that vicinity for 33 years. 
In order to give his children the 
advantages of an education he re- 
moved to Lebanon, 111., in 1871. 
July 7th, 1857, '1^ married Miss 
Mary J. Moorhead. They had four 
children, two died in infancy ; 
Olive Belle and John A. are still 
living. He was converted January 
28th, 1858, and was licensed to 
preach in 1863, and was ordained 
in 1865 by the Freewill Baptists of 
Bone Gape, Edwards county, 111. 
On November 23d, 1887, he ex- 
perienced the blessing of sanctifi- 
cation ; from that time he has been 
quite active in Christian work. In 
1888 he was instrumental in get- 
ing Rev. J. N. Noble, Belle D. Sis- 
son (now Smith) and Carrie M. 



46 



LIFE AND LABORS OF 




RiCV. THUS. O. r.IcMINN. 

REV. THOS. O. McMINN, 
Son of Jno. and Elizabeth (Black) 
McMinn, born in Jackson Co., 111., 
December 20th, 1852. Converted 
when 17 years of age, joined the 
Free Baptist Church at Freewill, 
baptized by Rev. W. H. Blanken- 
ship. Married July 31st, 1872, to 
Georgia Ann Blankenship ; again 
June 29th, 1879, to Sarah E. 
Hampton; again June 8th 1898, to 
Ida Elsey. Ordained November 
loth, 1875. Was a member of the 
1883 General Conference at Min- 
neapolis, and in 1895 at Winneba- 
go, Minn. Preached continuously 
since ordination. Organized sev- 
eral churches, and still active in 
pastoral work. Now resides at 
Murphysboro ; has nine children, 
the oldest son is in the ministry. 



REV. A. J. RENDLEMAN. 

REV. A. J. RENDLEMAN. 
Son of Harris and Elizabeth 
(Knight) Rendleman, was born in 
Williamson Co., 111., March 3. 
1867. He was converted Novem- 
ber 22, 1887, and joined the Drury 
Free Baptist Church. Taught 
eleven terms in the public schools. 
Was licensed to preach April, 
1894; ordained July, 1895. Has 
ministered to Drury, Camp Creek, 
Cottage Home and Meads Chapel 
churches and since 1896 has pas- 
tored Campbell Hill and Pipestone 
churches, and is also pastor of 
Willisville church, which he or- 
ganized July, 1899. Has baptized 
223 converts. He was married to 
Miss Maggie Monroe April 29, 
1887. Four children have blessed 
their home, three of whom are liv- 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



47 





REV. J. J. TATU.M. 



REV. JOE A. COCHRAN. 



REV. J. J. TATUM, 

Son of Wm. B. and Emily (John- 
son) Tatum, born at Steelesville, 
111., May 22d, 1863. Married Tlet- 
tie K. Mason June 22d, 1886. Con- 
verted August 1 6th, 1877, and 
joined the Close Baptists, but never 
did believe their doctrine, and was 
reclaimed and united with the Free 
Baptists at Campbell Hill January 
1st, 1889. Licensed to preach July 
13th, 1889, and ordained Septem- 
ber, 1893. He has been actively 
engaged in pastoral work ever 
since, and has for the past four 
years been pastor of the Ava 
church, where with his family he 
resides in the beautiful six-room 



two-story parsonage which the 
church built through his instru- 
mentality. 



REV. JOE A. COCHRAN, 

The son of J. A. and Susan Coch- 
ran, was born in Runnells Co., 
Mo., October 14th, 1869; was 
converted and joined the Free 
Baptist Church in November, 
1889; baptized by Rev. A. J. 
Lyons; licensed to preach in 1891, 
and was ordained in 1897. Labored 
some as an evangelist ; now a pas- 
tor in the Wayne Co. Quarterly 
Meeting. Married Miss Lenora 
Schee in 1898, and lives at Long 
Prairie, 111. 



48 



LIFE AND LABORS OF 




MURPHYSBORO CHURCH. 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



49 



MURPHYSBORO CHURCH, 

Organized February 19th, 1875, 
by Revs. G. A. Gordon and F. W. 
Newell, 20 members ; J. H. Brad- 
ley and F. W. Smith deacons, C. 
C. Culley clerk. G. A. Gordon pas- 
tor. 1885 discontinued meetings. 
Reorganized June 21st, 1893, by 
Revs. J. L. Meads. G. P. ^Ic- 
Bride and G. A. Gordon, with 12 
members : Mollie Benson, ■Mr. 
and Mrs. Lem Pate, Geo. C. Bag- 
will, Lillian B. Phoenix, Lizzie 
Snider, Mr. and Mrs. John Pout- 
son, Leander Bradley, Susan 
Bradley, Missouri Berry and Bet- 
tie A. Phoenix. In this meeting- 



90 persons united with the Church. 
Under the pastorate of Rev. J. L. 
Meads the church grew, and in 
1895 they began to build. Rev. G. 
P. McBride, pastor. On April 23d, 
1896, this building was dedicated. 
Dr. H. j\L Ford delivered the ser- 
mon. September, 1898, Rev. J. L. 
Meads was called as pastor again 
and remained two years. The pres- 
ent pastor is Rev. T. O. McMinn. 
The church sustains weekly ser- 
vices, Sabbath school, prayer 
meeting and A. C. F. society. 

It has had frequent revivals and 
earned for itself a reputation for 
spirituality, cleanliness and power. 



50 



LIFK AND I^ABORS OF 




HON. J. H. BRADLEY, 



RUTH JAN]<; BRADLEY. 



JUDGE JAMES H. BRADLEY, RUTH JANE BRADLEY 



Born August 22d, 1821, in Ran- 
dolph county, 111., the son of Jas. 
H. and Martha Bradley. Married 
to Miss Ruth J. Culley July 2d, 
1844. To them were born fourteen 
children, five of whom are living. 
He enlisted September, 1861, and 
spent almost four year in the 
Civil War. On his return home he 
united with the Free Baptist 
Church at DeSoto, under the la- 
bors of Rev. Wm. Bradley, and 
was faithful until his death, Aug- 
ust 22d. 1888. He was a lawyer, 
professionally, and an ultra pro- 
hibitionist. 



Was born in Posey Co., Ind., Jan- 
uary 23d, 1828. Daughter of Jo- 
siah and Elizabeth Culley. Married 
to James H. Bradley July 2d, 
1844. To them was born fourteen 
children, five still living. Aunt 
Jane united with the Looney 
Springs church in 1850; was con- 
verted under the preaching of Un- 
cle Henry S. Gordon, and has been 
true to her Church all these years 
and faithful to her God. Still lives 
at Dc Soto, 111. 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



51 




RBV. J. Iv. MKADS. 

REV. JOSEPH LEVI MEADS, 

Son of G. W. and H. L. (Hatfield) 
Meads, born February 25th, 1868, 
at St. Louis, Mo. Family removed 
to Murphysboro, 111., and in 1874 
to Ava. Converted and united with 
the Ava Free Baptist Church in 
1886; licensed in 1889 and or- 
dained to preach July 12th, 1889. 
Organized Murphysboro, Chester, 
Marion, Creal Springs, Carter- 
ville, Bushnell and other Free 
Baptist churches. Received 2,000 
or more into the Church ; baptized 
over 700; served Camp Creek, 
Sato, Ava, Campbell Hill and 
Murphysboro churches as pastor, 
and now at Chester. Delegate to 
General Conference in 1892 at 
Lowell, Mass., and delegate-elect 
to next General Conference at 
Harpers Ferrv, W. Va. Married in 
1893 to Stella M. Waldo, of Ben- 
ton, 111. 

Politically he is a radical Pro- 
hibitionist. 



MRS. STELLA M. MEADS, 

WIFE OF REV. J. L. MEADS. 

STELLA M. MEADS, 

Daughter of Richard E. and Jen- 
nie (Spence) Waldo, born De- 
cember, 1867, in Marion Co., 111. 
United in marriage with Rev. J. 
L. Meads May loth, 1893 ; to them 
have been born five children, two 
of whom are dead. She was con- 
verted and united with the M. E. 
Church at 15 years of age. After 
marriage she united with the Free 
Baptist Church and was baptized 
by her husband in Campbell Hill 
church. When 16 years old she be- 
gan teaching school, also instru- 
mental and vocal music, and al- 
though now busied with the cares 
of a family, she still finds time to 
render invaluable aid to her hus- 
band in the work of the Church, 
where her musical talent is great- 
Iv blessed. 



52 



LIFE AND LABORS OF 




REV. S. L. MORRIS. 

REV. S. L. MORRIS, 

Born in Ohio in 1856. Converted 
at 13 years of age ; joined the M. 
E. Church at 23 ; entered the min- 
istry at 28, and later joined the 
Free Baptist Church at Ava in 
1896. Ordained in 1897, at Ta- 
maroa, 111., and has done pastoral 
work ever since ; organized Lone 
Oak church, and now pastor of 
Tamaroa church. Was married to 
Josephine David in 1879, and has 
three children, and now lives at 
Tamaroa, 111. 



REV. jNO. w. McMillan, 

Oldest son of Thos. and Sarah A. 
McMillan, born in Meade Co., 



REV. JNO. W. MCMILLAN. 

Ky., in 1844. Came to Illinois in 
1859. Converted and joined the 
M. E. Church March 3d, i860. Li- 
censed in 1870; united with the 
Free Baptist Church at Campbell 
Hill and ordained January, 1866, 
and took up Pastoral work ; 
served Camp Creek, Dry Hill, 
Sato, Campbell's Hill, Pleasant 
Ridge, Pate's Chapel, De Soto, 
Drury, Kinkaid, Marion, Union 
and Oak Valley churches as pas- 
tor. Was appointed Yearly [Meet- 
ing Evangelist in 1895, sevred 9 
months, but had to give it up on 
account of throat troul)le. Xow 
lives in Campbell Hill with his 
family. 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



53 




REV. GILES P. McBRIDE. 

REV. GILES P. McBRIDE, 
Born March 4th, 1867, near Ava, 
111. Professed faith in God at the 
age of 20 years ; joined the Pres- 
byterian Church at Ava ; elected 
elder ; not satisfied with baptism 
united with the Free Baptist 
Church and was licensed to preach 
January, 1891, and ordained the 
following May. United in mar- 
riage with Clara Russell Septem- 
ber 20th, 1892. Has served Marion, 
Creal Springs, De Soto, Murphys- 
boro and Chester churches as pas- 
tor. Labored as Yearly Meeting 
evangelist two years ; done consid- 
erable evangelistic work ; organ- 
ized several churches and A. C. F. 
societies ; built two churches and 
is acting as State agent for the 
State of Indiana now. Is a Free 
Baptist and a Prohibitionist. 



CLAKA RUSSEL McBRIDE. 

CLARA RUSSEL McBRIDE, 
Wife of Rev. G. P. McBride, born 
September 7th, 1870, near Carter- 
ville. 111. Her father died when 
she was four years old, and at 12 
she had to make her own living 
working summers for small wages, 
winters for board and schooling; 
attended school at Carterville and 
Carbondale ; taught her first 
school at the age of 17. Was con- 
verted in July, 1891, at a tent 
meeting held by Meads and Mc- 
Bride ; joined the Free Baptist 
Church and was baptized the 
same month. Married September 
20th, 1892, and is the mother of 
four children, R. Gordon, Beulah 
E., Wendell S., and Ralph W. Is 
verv active in church work. 



54 



LIFE AND LABORS OF 




Ryv. J. A.JONES. 

REV. JAS. A. JONES 

Was born November 26th, 1853, 
in Williamson Co., 111., the son of 
John and Purlina Jones. Received 
a fair education, taught school 
and attended college, and is now 
teaching his 34th term. He em- 
braced religion in 1874, and joined 
Harmony Free Baptist Church in 
May, 1876, and was its clerk many 
years; was clerk of Makanda 
Quarterly Meeting for seven 
years, was licensed to preach Feb- 
ruary, 1892, and was ordained 
September, 1892; has had the pas- 
toral care of a number of churches, 
and is still actively engaged in the 
ministry. Married Miss Ellen Grif- 



EI^LEN JONES. 



fin April 3d, 1879, and is the 
happy father of two girls and two 
boys. 



ELLEN JONES, 

Wife of Rev. J. A. Jones, was born 
May 2d, 1858, in Franklin Co., 
111. Attended the district school. 
Was converted April i8th, 1874. 
under the preaching of Sister 
Emma Snider ; united with Har- 
mony Free Baptist Church May, 
1875, and has continued a true and 
consistent member. Married April 
3d, 1879, and has had five chil- 
dren ; one died in infancy, the oth- 
ers remain at home in Christo- 
pher, 111. 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



55 








1 ^^ 


■ ,:^^ 


^ 


"^ ^ 




^^ fli 



REV. CHAS. T. ROGERS. 



KEV. H. M. TURNEY. 



REV. CHAS. T. ROGERS 

Was born at Fort Scott, Kan., July 
4th, 1866; removed to Florida in 
1879, and to Wayne county, 111., 
in 1895 ; the following winter was 
converted and joined the Free 
Baptist Church at Johnsonville, 
111., under the pastorate of Rev. T. 
O. McMinn, by whom he was bap- 
tized. Licensed to preach at the 
May Quarterly Meeting following. 
Was ordained September, 1896, 
and is one of our best young pas- 
tors. He married Orra E. Alvis, 
who is indeed a true preacher's 
wife, cheering and encouraging 
her husband in work for the salva- 
tion of souls. Has pastoral care 
of four churches, and lives at Fair- 
field, 111. 



REV. H. M. TURNEY 

Was born May 17, 1850, in Louis- 
ville, Ky. For many years was 
a traveling salesman. Through 
the social glass he became, the vic- 
tim of strong drink. March ist, 
1891, found him in the docks of 
Cleveland, Ohio, a total wreck — 
home, friends, reputation all gone. 
Homeless, friendless, Godless, he 
found his way into the floating 
Bethel, where he was saved, and 
immediately began telling the won- 
ders of grace ; joined the Free Bap- 
tist Church, and was ordained Oc- 
tober 1st, 1899. Is at present 
Yearly Meeting evangelist of the 
Central Illinois Yearly Meeting. 
God has used him in the salvation 
of manv souls. 



56 



I.IFE AND IvABORS OF 




REV. J. B, DAVIS AND MARTHA J. DAVIS. 



REV. J. B. DAVIS 

Was born in Jackson Co., 111., 
January loth, 1837. A son of 
Richard Davis. Joined the army 
in 1861 ; served four years in the 
Civil War. United in marriage 
with Francis Spurgeon in March, 
1866. Converted and joined the 
Baptist Church in November, 
1866; baptized by Rev. Wm. Car- 
ner. Moved to Denmark, 111., in 
September, 1871, and joined the 
Free Baptist Church ; was ordain- 
ed April, 1888, at the Quarterly 
Meeting at Dry Hill. Has had the 
pastoral care of Pipestone, Du 
Quoin, De Soto and Macedonia 
clnirches. Wife died and married 



again to Mrs. M. J. Benedict, and 
lives at Denmark, 111. 



MRS. M. J. DAVIS, 

Wife of Rev. J. B. Davis, born 
May 1 6th, 1849. i" Washington 
Co., 111. Was raised by her uncle, 
and in 1868 was married to S. 
Benedict. He died, and in 1896 she 
was again married, this time to 
Rev. J. B. Davis. In 1875 she was 
converted and joined the Nine Mile 
Baptist church, and was baptized 
by Rev. P. Hagler. On removing 
to Denmark, 111., she united with 
the Free Baptist Church in 1878, 
where with her husband she now 
resides. 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



57 




REV. BEN KELLER. 



REV. SAM'L T. ESSICK. 



REV. BEN KELLER, 

Born in Bedford Co., Tenn., Oc- 
tober 2 1 St, 1829. Married Mary J. 
Latimer March 27th, 1851 ; they 
had five children, four still living. 
Converted October 13th, 1847. 
Licensed to preach December 
13th, 1877; ordained February 
9th, 1879; united with the Free 
Baptist Church in 1876, and died 
April 27th, 1900, near Scheller, 
111., a very devoted, active Chris- 
tian man, beloved by all who knew 
him. 



REV. SAM'L T. ESSICK 

Was born in 1843 ""^ Pennsylvania. 
He was married, and died on De- 
cember 2nd. 1898, leaving a wife 
and nine children. Was converted 
and joined the V. B. in Richland 
county. 111. Moved to Jackson 
county in 1883, and united with the 
Christian order, and in both of 
these churches did good service in 
the Sunday school work. In 1887 
he joined the Free Baptists and was 
ordained to preach the Gospel 
April loth, 1892, after which he was 
pastor of different churches in this 
and adjoining counties. 



58 



LIFE AND I^ABORS OF 




TAMAROA CHURCH. 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



59 



TAMAROA CHURCH. 

This church was organized De- 
cember 7th, 1889, by Rev. AI. A. 
Shepard with 17 members, the re- 
sult of tent meetings held by him- 
self, Rev. J. N. Noble, Carrie Nich- 
ols, Belle D. Sisson and ^\'. S. 
Smith, most if not all the member- 
ship believing in Bible holiness. 

Rev. H. F. Carter was the first 
pastor, until September, 1890. Rev. 
J. F. Kirk served the church one 
year or until 1891, then Rev. T. O. 
McMinn was called and served the 
church for seven years. It was 
prosperous, enlarged its member- 
ship greatly and built a parsonage 



under his pastorate. Then Rev. S. 
L. Morris was chosen pastor and is 
now entering on his second year. 
Have a nice church worth about 
$1,500, a comfortable parsonage 
worth about $800 ; have a prosper- 
ous Sunday school, A. C. F. So- 
ciety, W. F. M. Society, prayer 
meeting and Children's Band ; 
have given for home and foreign 
missions and education about 
$415. Added to the church since 
organization about 200. A large 
number of converts went to other 
churches, some have fallen by the 
way. The church is still prosper- 
ous. 



60 



LIFE AND LABORS OF 





K^V. CHAS. F. STALKER. 



SUSAN C. STALKER, 

WIFE OF REV. CHAS. F. STALKER. 



REV. CHAS. F. STALKER. 

Was born in Du Quoin, 111., 
June 25th, 1871 ; a direct descend- 
ant of the French Hugenots who 
so nobly bore the persecution in- 
flicted upon them by the enemies 
of Christ. Was converted August 
19th, 1890; united with the Free 
Baptist Church in November ; be- 
gan preaching in 1891 ; ordained 
in 1892; has pastorate of Percy, 
Rock Springs, Pate's Chapel and 
Crainville churches. Has used gos- 
pel wagon, and did other evangel- 
istic work. An expert chalk talker, 
he illustrates his sermons and lec- 
tures on the board. Married June 



22d, 1890; two children living, 
three dead. With his family now 
resides at De Soto, 111. 



SUSAN COUNCE STALKER, 

Wife of Rev. C. F. Stalker, born 
at De Soto, 111., November ist, 
1872; converted August 20th, 
1890; joined the Free Baptist 
Church November following. Has 
been consecrated to the cause of 
Christ since receiving pardon for 
her sins, and by her wisdom and 
council has been a tower of 
strength to her husband in the 
great work of the ministry. 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



61 




REV. J. C. GILUIvAND. 



SUSAN SCOTT. 



REV. J. C. GILLILAND, 

Born 14th Alarch, 1833, in Mis- 
souri. Converted in 1847; joined 
the M. E. Church and was Hcensed 
in 1849. I^"^ 1863. being dissatisfied 
with infant baptism, joined the 
Hillerites ; in 1864 joined the Free 
Baptists at Steeleville, 111. Labor- 
ed as pastor, organizer and evan- 
gelist. Organized a great many 
churches in Wayne, Jefferson, 
Washington, Perry and Jackson 
counties. Married to Susan A. 
Waldrop and had two children. 
She died and he married again 
Martha E. Johnson. Now resides 
on his farm at Scheller, 111., and 



is sorely 
tism. 



af^icted with rheuma- 



SUSAN SCOTT, 

Mother of Jno. A. L. Scott, born 
in Muskingdom Co., Ohio, near 
Fainsville, May 31st, 1823. Came 
with her parents to Illinois in 
1855. Converted February, 1870, 
and entered the Orchardville Free 
Baptist Church as a charter mem- 
ber November 4th, 1889, and is 
one of the most humble, faithful, 
loyal members of the church, and 
has taken care of the church since 
its erection. Resides at Orchard- 
ville, 111., with her only son. 



62 



LIFE AND LABORS OF 




PKRCY CHl'RCH 



PERCY CHURCH, 

Erected in 1873 by Daniel Hart- 
ley and G. A. Gordon, building 
committee, and was first located 
in Steeleville, being built there in 
185 1 by Rev. H. S. Gordon when 
he was excluded from the Mission- 
ary Baptist Church. Site was re- 
moved to Percy when the rail- 



roads were built, thinking the 
town would doubtless be moved. 
Rev. H. S. Gordon was pastor of 
this church over 30 years, G. A. 
Gordon 10 years, R. A. Bradley, 
Wm. Bradley, J. C. Gilliland and 
W. F. Newell and J. H. Bagwill 
one year each, and the present 
pastor is Rev. C. F. Stalker. 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



63 




REV. PHILLIP H. DOWNING AND WIFE). 



REV. PHILLIP H. DOWNING, 

Born December 15th, 1851, in Jef- 
ferson county, la., son of Wm. D. 
and Sarah M. Downing. Convert- 
ed in 1872; joined the NcwHtes. 
afterward the Free Baptist Church 
in 1895. Licensed to preach in the 
same year, and ordained in 1898. 
Married Elvina Snook. She died 



and he married again to Evila 
Glasco in 1892. 



EVILA DOWNING, 

^^'ife of Rev. P. H. Downing, 
born January i6th, i860, in Davis 
county. la. Converted in 1878, and 
united with the NewHtes, and in 
1895 joined the Free Baptist 
Church, and Hves with her hus- 
band at Downing, 111. 



64 



LIFE AND LABORS OF 




REV. JNO. H. BAGWILL. 



REV. JNO. H. BAGWILL, 

Son of M. A. and Cynthia Ba.i^will, 
was born at Campbell Hill Janu- 
ary nth, 1874. Married Ollie M. 
Bradley June 12th, 1895. He was 
converted December, i8qo, joined 
the Campbell Hill Free Baptist 
Church ; licensed to preach Octo- 
ber 1st, 1892, and was ordained 
July 5th, 1895, by Revs. G. A. 
Gordon, M. A. Shepard, J. L. 
Meads and J. W. McMillan. 

The greatest meeting of his life 
was at Percy in 1898; in 12 days 
120 accessions, 102 baptized — the 
largest number baptized in any 
one church that year in the de- 
nomination. Resides at Marion, 



111., and is our pastor there ; also 
Lone Oak, Creal Springs and 
Spillertown. Was delegate to 
General Conference at Ocean 
Park, Me., li 



OLLIE M. BAGWILL, 

Wife of Rev. Jno. H. Bagwill and 
youngest daughter of Jas. H. and 
Ruth J. Bradley, was born at De 
Soto, 111., June 21st, 1873; was 
converted at De Soto in 1889, and 
joined the Free Baptist Church. 
She was united in matrimony 
June I2th, 1895, with Rev. J. H. 
Bagwill. Has done what she could 
in woman's missionary work, and 
been of lasting benefit to her hus- 
band in his ministry. 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



65 




REV. R. C. ALLEN AND MARTHA E. ALLEN. 



REV. ROBT. C. ALLEN, 

Son of Clement and Esther (Stor- 
mont) Allen, born at Princeton, 
Ind., August 30th, 1838. Came to 
Illinois in 1845. Converted and 
united with the Reformed Presby- 
terian Church in his 19th year. 
Married Elizabeth McCoUough in 
1866. She died 1871 ; married 
again in 1890 to Martha E. Culley. 
Joined the Free Baptist Church 
in ]\Iurphysboro in 1896. Was li- 
censed in 1897; since then has la- 
bored as pastor and evangelist. 
Now resides in Murphysboro, 111. 



REV. M. E. ALLEN, 

Wife of Rev. R. C. Allen, daugh- 
ter of Wm. and Alary (Loy) Car- 
ter, born in Jackson Co., 111. 
L^nited with the Free Baptist 
Church at Looney Springs under 
the preaching of Rev. Wm. Brad- 
ley in her 13th year. Married to 
C. C. Culley in i860. Six children, 
two living, Alva and Joel Culley. 
Married second time to R. C. 
Allen in 1890. Licensed to preach 
in 1897. Has been active in the 
Free Baptist Woman's Missionary 
Society, of which she is now sec- 
retary and treasurer. Her only 
daughter died September 30th, 
1899. 



66 



LIFE AND LABORS OF 




REV. THOS. O. FRANKUN. 



DEACON JOHN LOGAN FRANKLIN. 



REV. THOS. O. FRANKLIN, 

Son of Jno. Franklin, born May 
30th, 1840, in Franklin Co., 111. 
His father died in 1848, and he was 
the principal support of his moth- 
er. Entered the army in Septem- 
ber, 1862, and served to the close 
of the war. Was united in marriage 
with Sarah W. Drummond Sep- 
tember 15th, 1865, and they have 
ten children. Converted in 1863, 
and joined the Hillerites in 1866; 
was licensed to preach in 1873. In 
1874 united with the Free Baptist 
Church and ordained same year. 
Helped organize the Franklin Co. 
Quarterly Meeting, and was its 
clerk. Now resides on his farm 
near Benton, 111. 



DEACON JOHN LOGAN 
FRANKLIN, 

Son of Rev. T. O. Franklin, born 
February 26th, 1870, received a 
liberal education, attended Ew- 
ing college and Enfield Normal 
University. Does not remember 
when he was not a Christian. At 
12 joined the Palestine Free Bap- 
tist Church, w'here he is now clerk 
and deacon. Has been clerk of the 
Franklin Co.. Quarterly Meeting 
for eight years. Was married to 
Miss Etta B. Roberts August 
nth, 1890, and now lives happily 
with his wife and three boys on 
his farm north of Benton, 111. 



REV. HENRYiS. GORDON. 



67 




DEACON THOS. GRIZZELL AND WIFE, MARY E. 



DEACON THOS. GRIZZELL 
AND MARY E. GRIZZELL 

Was born in Kenton county, Ky., 
in 1840. Moved to Illinois in 
1862; married Mary E. King Oc- 
tober 20th, 1863. She was born in 
Hamilton county, Ohio, in 1845 ! 
brought to Illinois in infancy. Both 
have lived near Sato continuously ; 



had born to them twelve children, 
only three of whom are living. 
Joined the Free Baptist Church 
soon after marriage, and have 
lived faithful, devoted lives ever 
since. Sister Grizzell was visiting at 
Father Gordon's at the time of his 
sudden death, and rendered every 
assistance that loving hands could 
do. 



68 



LIFE AND LABORS OF 




AVA freh; baptist church. 



AVA FREE BAPTIST 
CHURCH, 

Organized by Revs. H. S. Gordon 
and Wm. Bradley October, i860, 
with 12 members, in an old log 
house west of Ava, 111. Rev. Wm. 
Bradley was pastor first four 
years, Rev. G. D. Ward four 
years, Rev. A. L. Asberry to Aug. 
1874. Records lost up to Jan., 1886. 
when Revs. G. A. Gordon and 
Thos. O. McMinn reorganized it 
in Johnson's old store house with 
1 1 members, as follows : A. J. Griz- 



zell and wife, B. L. CuUey and 
wife, W. B. Jernigan and wife, 
Gideon Carr and wife, Lucretia 
Cheatham, Nancy Payne and Hen- 
rietta M. Husband. This meeting 
continued for six weeks, closed 
with 82 members. G. A. Gordon 
was pastor almost nine years, J. 
L. Meads two years, and J. J. Ta- 
tum has been the pastor since 
1896. They built the present house 
in 1890, near it a neat two-story 
seven-room parsonage. From this 
church has gone out some of our 
best and most talented young 
ministers. 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



69 




be;nj. r. re:dfi£;ld. 

BENJ. R. REDFIELD, 

Born in Gilford, Conn., May nth, 
1821, came to Illinois September, 
1842, and has lived on his farm 
near Campbell Hill 50 years. Mar- 
ried Elizabeth Jane Cheatham 
March 28th, 1849, ^^^^ raised a 
family of eight children. Joined 
the Looney Springs Free Baptist 
Church February ist, 1871, and 
has been one of its trustees for 
many years, and lives with his 
youngest son on the old farm near 
Campbell Hill, 111. 




ELIZABETH J. REDFIEI^D, 

WIFE OF liENJ. R. REDFIELD. 

ELIZABETH JANE RED- 
FIELD, 

Wife of Benj. R. Redfield, was the 
daughter of Robison Cheatham ; 
was born October 30th, 1830. 
Died September 4, 1882. 

She joined the Looney Springs 
Free Baptist Church February ist, 
1 871, and lived a consistent and 
Christian life ; left a husband and 
five children to mourn her death. 



70 



LIFE AND LABORS OF 




DEACON BURPHET L. CUI.I,EY AND WIFE, JANE. 



DEACON BURPHET L. CUL- 
LEY AND WIFE, 

Born June 7th, 1830, at Mt. Ver- 
non, Ind. Married Permelia Clus- 
ter December loth, 1856, had four 
children, one girl and three boys. 
Married again to Lucinda J. Heg- 
lar December 22d, 1863. By this 
wife six boys and one girl. Joined 



the Looney Springs Free Baptist 
Church June, 1858, and baptized 
by Rev. R. A. Bradley the follow- 
ing month ; was a member of Ava 
church from 1886, and on its 
Board of Deacons to the date of 
his death, June 22d, 1898. She has 
been a member of the Church 
from childhood, and now lives at 
Ava. 111. 



REV- HENRY S. GORDON. 



71 




DEACON WM. D. RUSSELL. 



MARY ETTA RUSSELL. 



DEACON WM. D. RUSSELL 

Was born at Willisville, 111.. 
May 7th, 1864. Went to St. Louis 
and learned the trade of carpenter. 
September 5th, 1889, married 
Angie E. Heiple. of De Soto, 111. ; 
had four children. He and wife 
joined the Free Baptist Church in 
Murphysboro. 111., June, 1896, and 
in March, 1898, she died and he 
again married September, 1898, to 
Miss Mary Etta Thompson. They 
have one child. He has been quite 
an active member of the Church 



— chairman of the Offtcial Board, 
superintendent of the Sunday 
school, and a member of the 
Board of Deacons, and now re- 
sides at Murphysboro, 111. 



MARY ETTA RUSSELL 

Was l)orn July 28th, 1873, "ear 
Campbell Hill, 111. ; moved to Mur- 
physboro, 111., May 1890; was 
converted in 1895; married to 
Wm. D. Russell September, 1898, 
and united with the Free Baptist 
Church the same year. 



12 



LIFE AND LABORS OF 





MATHEW SNIDER. 



ADDIE SNIDER. 



MADISON W. SNIDER 

Was born April 5th, 1878 at Camp- 
bell Hill, 111. Since 1887 has resid- 
ed in Murphysboro, 111. Was con- 
verted in 1893, and united with the 
Free Baptist Church, and married 
October 14th, 1897, to Miss Addie 
Butler, who was born October 



15th, 1879. at Oraville, 111.; came 
to Murphyboro in 1886, and joined 
the Free Baptist Church in 1893. 
The former is a grandson of 
Rev. Wm. Bradley, deceased, and 
both of them are faithful and inde- 
fatigable workers in the Church. 
She has been for years the organ- 
ist. 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



73 




sche;i«le;r church. 



SCHELLER CHURCH, 

At Scheller, III., was organized by 
Revs. G. A. Gordon, J. C. Gilli- 
land and B. H. Keller, May 30th, 
1897, with 30 members. Rev. T. 
O. McMinn was its first pastor, 



and continued to serve the church 
for three years. The present pas- 
tor is Rev. A. J. Cochran. They 
have a comfortable house of wor- 
ship, and some of the members 
were self-sacrificing and faithful 
in its erection. 



74 



LIFE AND LABORS OF 




JOHN R. WEEDON. 



GEO. WM. HAI.I,. 



JOHN R. WEEDON, 

Son of Joe S. and Cornelia (Cul- 
ley) Weedon, born September 
I2th, 1871, in Randolph Co., 111., 
and grew to manhood at Campbell 
Hill, 111. Converted and joined the 
Free Baptist Church at Campbell 

Hill, 111 Attended 

college at Hillsdale, Mich. Taught 
school, but failing health com- 
pelled him to go to New Mexico ; 
there health was regained. 



GEO. WM. HALL 

Was born in Williamson Co., 111.. 
March 14th, 1876; converted and 
joined L^nion Free Baptist Church 
January 30th, 1899. under the 
preaching of Revs. T. O. and J. B. 
McMinn ; baptized and received 
into full membership May 3d, 
1899. Is the clerk of the Makanda 
Quarterly Meeting at the present 
time, and lives at Herrin, 111. 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



75 




DEACON JOHN B. WII^LIAMSON AND WIFE, ALICE- 



DEACON JNO. B. WILLIAM- 
SON AND WIFE, 

The only son of Judge Henry Wil- 
liamson, was born September 8th, 
1855, at Sato, and raised in Jack- 
son county. 111. Married Alice C. 
Coyle November 22d, 1877, and 
raised a large family of children, 
seven of whom are still living. 
L^nited with the Sato Free Baptist 
Church February, 1894, and has 
acted as clerk and deacon of the 
■church for the past six years, and 



now resides in their beautiful 
home on a magnificent farm near 
Sato, 111. 



ALICE WILLIAMSON, 

Wife of Deacon Jno. B. William- 
son, and daughter of Archy and 
^lary Coyle, born March 3d, 1861, 
and united in marriage with Jno. 
B. Williamson November 22d, 
1877. Was converted and joined 
the Sato Free Baptist Church 
February, 1894, where she still 
holds her membership. 



UFE AND LABORS OF 




REV. JAMES WESLEY McKINNEY. 

REV. JAMES WESLEY Mc- 
KINNEY, 

Son of Jas. H. and Manerva J. 
McKinney, born March 13th, 
1873, near Carterville, 111., and 
converted in 1887. Received a lib- 
eral education at Marion and Car- 
bondale, 111. Was licensed to 
preach at the age of 18, and nine 
months later he was ordained. 
Taught school and preached con- 
tinuously. Married March 24th, 
1895, to Agnes Neilson. Has 
preached seven years. Received in- 
to the Church 143, baptized 121, 
solemnized 47 marriages, and 
traveled 6,985 miles, and lives on 
his farm in Williamson county, 111. 



HARTLEY A. McBRIDE. 

HARTLEY A. McBRIDE 

Was born near Ava. 111., August 
nth, 1854. Received but a limited 
education. In 1884 went to x\rkan- 
sas for a short time, then back to 
Ava, and in 1885 he moved to 
Franklin Co., 111., and followed his 
trade of blacksmith. Married 
Florence I. Duncan March 2d. 
1876; had three children. Wife 
died October 20th, 1882, and was 
again married November 28th, 
1886. to Martha E. Greenwood, 
and has five children. Was con- 
verted and joined the Bear Point 
Free Baptist Church October 24, 
1897; baptized the following 
month. His grandmother, Polly 
Polk, was a cousin to President 
James K. Polk. 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



77 




DEACON A. J. BARROW. 



MARY t, BARROW. 



DEACON A. J. BARROW, 

The son of James and Catherine 
D. Barrow, was born in Jackson 
county. III., March ist, 1852. His 
youth was spent upon his father's 
farm, a part of which he now re- 
sides upon. Attended the district 
school ; married Nancy A. Mus- 
grave August 29th, 1872; joined 
the United Baptist Church April, 
1876; was married again to Miss 
Mary L. Merrell September ist, 
1885 ; united with the Free Bap- 
tist Church at Campbell Hill Jan- 
uary, 1889, and was elected on the 



Board of Deacons in June, 1890, 
and still resides on his farm near 
Campbell Hill, 111. 



MARY L. BARROW, 

Daughter of Alfred S. and Aman- 
da P. Merrell, was born near Belle- 
ville, 111., December 28th, 1867; 
removed with her parents to Jas- 
per county, Mo., in 1868. Then to 
Randolph county. 111., in 1874. 
Married A. J. Barrow in 1885, and 
united with the Free Baptist 
Church at Campbell Hill, 111., in 
January, 1889. 



78 



LIFE AND LABORS OF 




DE;aCON ARCHIBALD ROBISON AND WIFE). 



DEACON ARCHIBALD ROBI- 
SON, 

Born January 6th, 1838, near 
Steelesville, 111., joined the Bap- 
tist Church in 1866. Married to 
Sarah I. Simons in 1867. In 1896 
he united with the Free Baptist 
Church in Murphysboro, 111., of 
which he is a faithful member and 
one of its deacons. 



SARAH I. ROBISON, 

Wife of Deacon A. Robison, born 
in Wright Co., Mo., in 1845, 
united with the Baptist Church in 

1866. Married at Steeleville in 

1867. Joined the Free Baptist 
Church in Murphysboro in 1896, 
of which she is a faithful member 
and a worker in the home and 
foreign missionary work. , 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



79 




DEACON JNO. A. L. SCOTT. 

DEACON JNO. A. L. SCOTT, 

Born March i6th, 1862, in Wayne 
Co., 111., and was "born again" Oc- 
tober 15th, 1889, and united with 
the Free Baptist Church Novem- 
ber 17th, 1889, and at once chosen 
deacon. He served in various ca- 
pacities in the church, and promi- 
nent in every forward movement 
of the denomination. Of modest 
and quiet manner, yet strictly busi- 
ness-like. For five years he has 
been president of the Wayne Co. 
Sunday school Association, and 
is a member of the State Execu- 
tive Committee and County and 



MARTHA SCOTT. 

District chairman of the Prohibi- 
tion party, and was a candidate for 
the State Legislature in the last 
election. He was married to Miss 
Martha Vaughn August 17th, 
1884. 

MARTHA SCOTT, 

Wife of Deacon Jno. A. L. Scott. 
Her maidenname was Vaughn, and 
they were married August 17th, 
1884, and have lived in the little 
village of Orchardville, in Wayne 
Co., 111., ever since, where their 
lives and work have been a bless- 
ing to the Free Baptist Church at 
that place. 



80 



LIFE AND LABORS OF 




DEACON THOS. LEMING. 



MARY ANN LEMING. 



DEACON THOS. LEMING 

Was born in Indiana in 1830; came 
to Illinois in 1836; married Mary 
Ann Heard in 1851 ; raised a family 
of four girls and three boys ; con- 
verted in 1878 under the preaching 
of Rev. G. A. Gordon at Percy, 111. 
Has proven himself a true, devoted 
Christian, and a strong advocate 
of legal prohibition. Now lives in 
Willisville, 111., and is one of the 



deacons of the Free Baptist Church 
there. 



MARY ANN LEMING, 

Wife of Deacon Thos. Leming, 
was born in 1828; converted under 
the preaching of Rev. Wm. Bradley 
during the Civil War in 1862 ; join- 
ed the Looney Springs General 
Baptist Church. Since has united 
with the Free Baptist Church at 
Willisville, 111. 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



81 





DEACON H. D. SANDERS. 



MARY E. SANDERS. 



DEACON H. D. SANDERS, 

Born October 26th, 1856, in Wil- 
liamson Co., 111. His parents were 
devoted Christians. He was mar- 
ried August loth, 1879, to ]\Iary 
E. Lipsey. Converted in a meet- 
ing held by Rev. Chas. Hayes in 
1892, and united. with the Chris- 
tian Church, and in the spring of 
1895 he joined Union Hall Free 
Baptist Church, and was elected 
one of its deacons soon after. Now 
lives on his farm near Christo- 
pher, 111. 



MARY E. SANDERS, 

Wife of Deacon H. D. Sanders, 
born July 9th, 1859, at Frank- 
fort, 111. Was converted in 1892 
under the preaching of Rev. Chas. 
Hayes, and with her husband unit- 
ed with the Free Baptist Church 
in 1895. She was the mother of six 
children, one boy and two girls 
living. She is a kind and devoted 
wife and mother. 



82 



LIFE AND LABORS OF 




CHESTER CHURCH. 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



83 



CHESTER FREE BAPTIST 
CHURCH. 

July, 1896, Revs. J. L. and W. 
E. Meads. J. H. Bagwill and G. 
A. Gordon began a series of tent 
meetings, which residted in the or- 
ganization, xA.ugust 2d, of a church 
with 6 members, as follows : A. G. 
Gordon, Ella Short, Mary J. 
Hood, Mrs. Wm. Henson, Mrs. 
Hugh Grain and Mrs. Geo. Ham- 
met. Rev. Kate Veach Haines 
early took the place of Bro. Gor- 
don on the stafif of workers. Soon 
proceeded to build a commodious 
brick church house, and a seven- 



room parsonage. Membership 
now of 100. The following have 
served as pastors: G. A. Gordon, 
J. C. Daisey, J. H. Bagwill, G. P. 
McBride and J. L. Meads, the 
present pastor. Officers are A. G. 
Gordon, H. H. Wilkinson and 
Wm. Hecht, trustees; H. H. Wil- 
kinson and Geo. Azlyn, deacons ; 
Cora Miller, Clerk, and A. G. Gor- 
don, treasurer. Sustains a Sabbath 
school, Y. P. society. Woman's 
Missionary society and a Mite so- 
ciety. The success of this church 
is mainly due to the service and 
sacrifice of A. G. Gordon and the 
untiring efiforts of Bro. J. H. Bag- 
will while pastor of it. 



84 



LIFE AND LABORS OF 





DEACON JAS. L. BIBY. 



MARY J. BIBY. 



DEACON JAS. L. BIBY, 

Born March 2cl, 1846, in Franklin 
county, 111. Converted November 
I2th, 1890; baptized and united 
with Union Hall church ; was dea- 
con and trustee, which offices he 
held until his death, March 30th, 
1893. Was united in marriage to 
Mary J. Harris in 1875. 



MARY JANE BIBY, 

Born November nth, 185 1, in 
Franklin Co., 111., and was the 



daughter of Joseph and Nancy 
Harris. Was converted at about 
15 years of age; joined the United 
Brethren in Franklin county, and 
remained with them until the or- 
ganization of Union Flail Free 
Baptist Church, when she joined 
it. She was married to Jas. L. 
Biby in 1875. He died in 1883, and 
she married again to F. M. Biby 
May 5th, 1885, and died August 
28th, 1899. Lived near Christo- 
pher, 111. 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



85 




DE;A.C0N MOSES harris. 



NANCY S. HARRIS, 
WIFE OF DBACON MOSES HARRIS. 



DEACON MOSES HARRIS, 

Of Tamaroa, 111., born in 1844; 
married August 8th, 1861, to 
Mary S. French, has five children 
living. Joined the army in 1864; 
served until 1865. Converted un- 
der the ministry of Rev. J. C. 
Gilliland in 1875, and joined the 
Free Baptist Chvirch. Is now one 
of the Deacons and a member of 
the Board of Trustees of Tamaroa 



church, at which town he still re- 
sides. 



NANCY S. HARRIS, 

Wife of Deacon M. Harris, born 
in 1844, in Perry county. 111. Con- 
verted in 1868, and joined the 
Free Baptist Church in 1875, and 
is now with her husband, and a 
member of Tamaroa church. 



86 



LIFE AND LABORS OF 




DEACON JOHN W. JOHNSON. 



NORA A. JOHNSON. 



DEACON JOHN W. JOHN- 
SON, 

Born January i6th. 1846, Jackson 
Co., Tenn. Moved to Missouri in 
1854; to Perry Co., 111., in 1861. 
Entered Civil War February 9th, 

1864. Married Nora A. Cleary in 

1865. Was converted and joined 
the Free Baptist Church at Union 
Hall in 1893. Elected on the Board 
of Deacons and still serves his 
Church as such. Lives near Chris- 
topher, 111. 



NORA A. JOHNSON, 

Born March 29th. 1841, in Wil- 
liamson Co., 111. ^Mother died and 
she lived with her aunt in Perry 
Co. ; later removed to Franklin 
Co. Converted and became a 
member of Union Hall Free Bap- 
tist Church at Christopher, 111., in 
1892. United in marriage to Jno. 
W. Johnson in 1865. and still re- 
sides on their farm near Christo- 
pher. 111. 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



87 




WIlvBURN CAMPBELL. 



MANERVA CAMPBELL. 



WILBURN CAMPBELL, 

Born May 4th, 1839, in Franklin 
Co., 111. Was converted and united 
with the Free Baptist Church 
November 12th, 1890; was elected 
clerk of the church and continued 
to be ever since. Married Mary E. 
Hogue September ist, 1864; has 
10 children. She died and he again 
married, this time to Manerva 
Howell, November 25th. 1886, and 
lives near Christopher, 111. 



MANERVA CAMPBELL, 

Wife of Wilburn Campbell, born 
December 25th, 1838, in William- 
son Co., 111. Converted in 1883 and 
joined the Christian Church, and 
continued in that Church until 
November 12th, 1890, when she 
united with the Free Baptists at 
Union Hall. Daughter of David 
and Sarah Robison. Married Jas- 
per Howell in 1856. Mother of 13 
children. Lastly to Wilburn 
Campbell, with whom she still 
lives on their farm, Christopher, 
111. 



LIFE AND LABORS OF 




WM. carte;r and wife;, margarkt. 



WM. CARTER, 

Son of Wm. Carter, born July 22d. 
1820, in East Tennessee. Came to 
St. Clair Co., 111., in 1834, and to 
the vicinity of Campbell Hill, 111., 
1840. About this time he married 
Mary Loy. They had nine chil- 
dren. His wife died May 2d, 1862, 
and he married Vitulia Canaday. 
She died October 3d, 1863, and he 
married Mary Moore, by whom 
he had three children. She died 
October 6th, 1871, and he married 
Martha Reese. She died Septem- 
ber 22d, 1895, and he then married 
Margaret Shaw July 23d, 1896, who 
survives him. He with his first wife 
LofC. 



joined the Looney Springs church 
July 30th, 1850, and remained a 
member of the church to the date 
of his death, February 28th, 1898. 



MARGARET CARTER, 

Widow of Wm. Carter and daugh- 
ter of Henry Loy, was united in 
marriage with David Darrough, by 
whom she had three children. Af- 
ter his death she married Daniel 
Shaw. He died and on July 23d, 
1896, she was united in marriage 
with Wm. Carter, and for many 
years a member of the Presby- 
terian Church. 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



89 





ROBERT SOPER. 



MRS. MOSES JONES. 



• ROBERT SOPER, 

Son of Andy and Polly Soper, 
born in 1822. Joined Free Baptist 
Church under the preaching of 
Rev. H. S. Gordon at Percy, 111. 
Married to Parthena Holt, and 
died in 1886, leaving four children. 



MRS. MOSES JONES, 

Born January loth, 1844, daugh- 
ter of G. W. Eubanks. Was con- 
verted and united with McGlasson 
church under Rev. J. W. McMil- 
lan's preaching in 1895. Married 
in 1862, and is the mother of 
seven children. 



90 



LIFE AND LABORS OF 




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REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



91 





REV. JAMES F. KIRK. 



EMANUEL STEELE. 



REV. JAS. F. KIRK. 

Son of Ulissus and ^lartha J. 
Kirk, born in Benton county, 
Tenn.. January 15th, 1843, P^O" 
fessed faith in Christ in 1873, join- 
ed the Free Will Baptist Church 
in Williamson Co.. 111. : ordained 
in 1881, and has done pastoral 
work every year up to date. ]\Iar- 
ried Nancy A. Spirs August ist, 
1869. Married second wife, Mar- 
tha Jones, January 14th, 1880, and 
now resides at Crainville, 111., and 
is still in the pastoral work. 



EMANUEL STEELE, 

Only son of James C. and Serena 
Steele, born in 1847 ^^ Steeleville, 
111. Converted in 1878, and united 
with the Missionary Baptist 
Church at Steeleville, 111., and in 

1897 joined the Hickory Grove 
Free Baptist Church near Chris- 
topher, 111., where he still holds 
his membership. He was united in 
matrimony to Saraphine Thomas, 
and they had one son, Ottis, and 
she died. He now resides with his 
sister in Franklin Co., 111. Was for 
a time clerk of the Church ; is now 
its treasurer. 



92 



LIFE AND LABORS OF 



^ ^^ If?^ 




DEACON LEVI A. JONES. 

DEACON LEVI A. JONES, 

Was born in Indiana in 1826. Came 
to Williamson county, 111., in 1841. 
Married Lydia Moore, who dying 
left him with nine children. In 1863 
he married Hester J. Odam, by 
whom he had ten children. He was 
converted and joined the church, 
but differed with his brethren in 
his religious views. In 1870 he 
joined the Free Will Baptist 
Church under Rev. W. H. Blank- 
enship's preaching at Harmony, 
and became a very devoted worker, 
always faithful to his pastor, true 
to his Church, and loyal to his de- 
nomination. Died January 15th, 
1892. Revs. T. O. McMinn and J. 
L. Meads preached his funeral. 




HESTER J. JONES. 



Truly may we say of him, as of 
Enoch of old : "He pleased God." 



HESTER J. JONES, 

Widow of Levi A. Jones, born 
May 26th, 1 84 1, was converted 
young and joined the M. E. 
Church. Is the mother of nine 
children. In 1871 she united with 
Harmony Free Baptist Church ; 
lived seven miles away, yet seldom 
missed a church meeting. In 1900 
she went into the organization of 
a new Free Baptist church at 
Spillertown, 111. Her pious life and 
religious teachings won all her 
children for Christ and the 
Church. She resides on the old 
homestead and is a successful 
farmer. 



REV. HENRY S. GORDON. 



93 




RICHARD W. JONES. 



RICHARD W. JONES, 

Born in Lake Creek, III, Febru- 
ary 13th, 1866, son of Levi and 
Hester Jones, attended the district 
schools, gained a fair education 
and has been a very successful 
and popular teacher for many 
vears. Was converted November 



15th, 1884, and joined Harmony 
Free Baptist Church. He is edi- 
tor of the "Progress" and has been 
for some years. Active in church 
work, his influence is largely felt. 
Married August, 1897. to Miss 
Nannie Harris, and now resides 
at Johnson City, Williamson Co., 
111. 



Mar- 2! 10O1 




'^^^ 



